sermon

noun

ser·​mon ˈsər-mən 

1

: a religious discourse delivered in public usually by a member of the clergy as a part of a worship service

2

: a speech on conduct or duty

sermonic

ˌsər-ˈmä-nik 

adjective

Synonyms

• homily

Examples of sermon in a Sentence

He preached a sermon on the importance of kindness.

Dad gave me a sermon yesterday about doing my homework.

Recent Examples on the Web

The volunteers then sat in the basement of Marsh Chapel, at Boston University, and listened to a Good Friday sermon piped in from the pulpit above them. —Michael Pollan, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

They were required to work late hours, pray late into the evening and to wake up early to worship during church sermons that went on for hours, prosecutors wrote in the indictment. —Julia Marnin, Miami Herald, 13 May 2025

Church leaders have been very cognizant of the separation of church and state, so their sermons don’t outwardly criticize President Donald Trump. —Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2025

Barber has previously delivered sermons on the Capitol steps and addressed a Moral Monday gathering at the Supreme Court. —Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French sermun, from Medieval Latin sermon-, sermo, from Latin, speech, conversation, from serere to link together — more at series

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sermon

• birman
• burman
• ermine
• firman
• german
• kirman
• spermine
• termen
• termine
• vermin
• determine
• predetermine

Kids Definition

sermon

noun

ser·​mon ˈsər-mən 

1

: a public speech usually by a priest, minister, or rabbi for the purpose of giving religious instruction

2

: a speech on conduct or duty