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 mosque, one of the world's oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there -- like all mosque sermons across Syria -- were tightly controlled under Assad's rule. —Albert Aji and Matthew Lee The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 14 Dec. 2024

The mosque, one of the world’s oldest dating back some 1,200 years, is a beloved symbol of Syria, and sermons there like all mosque sermons across Syria had been tightly controlled under Assad’s rule. —Albert Aji and Matthew Lee, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024

Even though the theatricality of Bakker’s sermons evokes a cheery, prosperous togetherness, the fact that God’s teachings can be channeled and compressed into such a camera-friendly, direct-to-consumer form raises immediate eyebrows about the sanctity of his message. —Rory Doherty, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

The View star Sunny Hostin delivered an impassioned sermon against Donald Trump after the former president attended Thursday's Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner, a charity event that hosted a largely Catholic assembly. —EW.com, 18 Oct. 2024

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

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