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

In this early 19th-century rebirth of backcountry religion, traveling ministers preached a fiery gospel of grace, stirring large crowds with their open-air sermons. —Matthew Smith, The Conversation, 8 June 2026

Dodd proposed her father's birthday, June 5, as Father's Day, but ministers selected the third Sunday in June to allow more time after Mother’s Day to prepare their sermons. —Finch Walker, USA Today, 4 June 2026

Shawn's Ray Wilkins, meanwhile, shows back up in his old flame Brenda's life during a breathtakingly lurid Sinners send-up that takes the form of a confessional sermon in a Southern church. —Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026

Competitive balance is a convenient sermon from owners who too often treat contention as optional. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 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