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

What The Smart Ones Are Doing Instead None of this is a doom sermon. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

In his June 19 sermon at the New Reform Temple in Kansas City, Rabbi David Levinsky used the tournament to make one point above all others. — Vahe Gregorian july 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth invited Pastor Doug Wilson to deliver a sermon at the Pentagon earlier this year as part of his monthly Christian worship service. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 7 July 2026

Stylistically, this encyclopedic catch-all of genres readily segues from sermons and soliloquies to thrilling action sequences and anguished cris de coeur. — Literary Hub, 6 July 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