lesson

¹les·son

noun \ˈle-s^ən\

Definition of LESSON

1

: a passage from sacred writings read in a service of worship

2

a : a piece of instruction b : a reading or exercise to be studied by a pupil c : a division of a course of instruction

3

a : something learned by study or experience <his years of travel had taught him valuable lessons> b : an instructive example <the lessons of history> c : reprimand

Examples of LESSON

1. You can't go out to play until you've finished your lessons.
2. The book is divided into 12 lessons.
3. She took piano lessons for years.
4. political leaders who have failed to learn the lessons of history
5. I've learned my lesson—I'll never do that again!
6. Let that be a lesson to you—if you don't take better care of your toys they'll get broken!

Origin of LESSON

Middle English, from Anglo-French leçon, from Late Latin lection-, lectio, from Latin, act of reading, from legere to read — more at legend

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to LESSON

Synonyms: assignment, reading

Related Words: homework, schoolwork; lecture; drill, exercise, practice (also practise); étude, study

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Other Education Terms

baccalaureate, colloquium, corequisite, dissertation, monograph, pedant, practicum, survey course, thesis

Rhymes with LESSON

lessen, messan