lesson

1 of 2

noun

les·​son ˈle-sᵊn How to pronounce lesson (audio)
Synonyms of lessonnext
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

lesson

2 of 2

verb

lessoned; lessoning ˈle-sə-niŋ How to pronounce lesson (audio)
ˈles-niŋ

transitive verb

1
: to give a lesson to : instruct
2

Examples of lesson in a Sentence

Noun You can't go out to play until you've finished your lessons. The book is divided into 12 lessons. She took piano lessons for years. political leaders who have failed to learn the lessons of history I've learned my lesson—I'll never do that again! Let that be a lesson to you—if you don't take better care of your toys they'll get broken! Verb would tirelessly lesson the children in proper manners
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
One South Florida chef is teaching young people across South Florida and around the world lessons that go far beyond the kitchen. Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026 Nadella was not offering a history lesson. Jon Markman, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
Some young workers may already be learning that lesson the hard way. Preston Fore, Fortune, 29 Jan. 2026 Over the coming year, The Lost Horses will roll out a series of short-form films, digital and traditional PSAs, and live events, highlighting everything from wild mustangs and rescue horses to lesson ponies and Olympic athletes. Brent Lang, Variety, 23 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lesson

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lesson was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lesson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lesson. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

lesson

noun
les·​son
ˈles-ᵊn
1
: a part of the Scripture read in a church service
2
a
: a reading or exercise assigned to be studied
b
: something learned by study or experience

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