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

Pastor Rashad Singletary of Mount Olive Baptist Church of Turner Station didn't let a gunshot wound keep him from delivering an energetic sermon. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026

Bundled against the cool morning, the congregants and guests walked up the hill, gathering as Pastor Philip De Courcy preached the morning sermon. —Heather McRea, Oc Register, 5 Apr. 2026

Kish won’t use magic during sermons. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026

Separately, Sarah Mullally, ‌the archbishop of ​Canterbury and the first woman to ‌head the Church of England, ​delivered her first Easter sermon at Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday. —Reuters, NBC news, 5 Apr. 2026

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