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

As a child, Wilson would shake this instrument during sermons in her South Carolina Baptist church. —Sean Gregory, Time, 10 Dec. 2025

Wicks oversees the church with an iron fist, challenging his congregation with hard-line, heated sermons that often turn personal. —Adam Graham, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

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

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