lecture

1 of 3

noun (1)

lec·​ture ˈlek-chər 

-shər

1

: a discourse given before an audience or class especially for instruction

2

: a formal reproof

lectureship

ˈlek-chər-ˌship 

-shər-

noun

lecture

2 of 3

verb

lectured; lecturing ˈlek-chə-riŋ 

ˈlek-shriŋ

intransitive verb

: to deliver a lecture or a course of lectures

transitive verb

1

: to deliver a lecture to

2

: to reprove formally

lecturer

ˈlek-chər-ər 

ˈlek-shrər

noun

lectureship

3 of 3

noun (2)

lec·​ture·​ship ˈlekchə(r)ˌship 

-kshə-

1

: the office or position of lecturer

especially : the position of lecturer in a college or university

2

a

: a course of lectures

b

: a foundation supporting a lecture or course of lectures

Synonyms of lecture

Verb

• scold
• reprimand
• blame
• criticize

Examples of lecture in a Sentence

Noun (1)

She's planning to give a series of lectures on modern art.

Several hundred people are expected to attend the lecture.

I came home late and got a lecture from my parents.

I gave her a lecture about doing better in school.

Verb

She lectures in art at the local college.

They lectured their children about the importance of honesty.

I lectured her about doing better in school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kappel said the hall will be open to organizations in the community and the public for planning events, including musical programs, conferences, films, and lectures, as well as to business leaders who may want to host corporate events there. — Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 10 July 2026

In a subsequent lecture, Halford noted that snake venom’s effect on the blood was like that of cholera, and modestly suggested that the venom of dead snakes, dried and carried aloft on the wind, might be the cause of that disease. — Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Verb

The film begins with a montage of young Roma women, each shot as though for a studio portrait, impassively absorbing an offscreen voice lecturing them about family planning. — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 July 2026

In fact, they were borne out of more practical considerations, said Elizabeth Morton, a planning and urban design consultant who lectures at George Washington University. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, act of reading, from Late Latin lectura, from Latin lectus, past participle of legere

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing lecture

• curtain lecture
• lecture hall

Rhymes for lecture

• architecture
• conjecture
• prefecture

Kids Definition

lecture

1 of 2 noun

lec·​ture ˈlek-chər 

-shər

1

: a talk given before an audience or class especially for instruction

2

: reprimand entry 1, scolding

lecture

2 of 2 verb

lectured; lecturing ˈlek-chə-riŋ 

ˈlek-shriŋ

1

: to give a lecture or a series of lectures

2

: to instruct by lectures

3

: reprimand entry 2, scold

lecturer

-chər-ər 

-shrər

noun