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 of sermon

• lesson
• speech
• homily
• lecture

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

Stephenson, himself, had a reputation for delivering rousing sermons and speeches peddling prejudice. —Alexandria Burris, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 2025

Too heightened to take at face value and too rote to add a lastingly visceral element to this most famous of myths, the scares grow tedious faster than a bad church sermon. —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 13 Nov. 2025

Tehran’s Friday prayer leader asked Bahonar in his weekly sermon. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025

In the new Wake Up Dead Man, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) investigates the death of a monsignor seconds after his last sermon. —Fred Topel, Deadline, 6 Nov. 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