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preach

verb \ ˈprēch \
|Updated on: 22 Jun 2018

Definition of preach

preached; preaching; preaches
intransitive verb
1 : to deliver a sermon
2 : to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action; specifically : to exhort in an officious or tiresome manner
transitive verb
1 : to set forth in a sermon
  • preach the gospel
2 : to advocate earnestly
  • preached revolution
3 : to deliver (something, such as a sermon) publicly
4 : to bring, put, or affect by preaching
  • preached the … church out of debt
  • —Amer. Guide Series: Va.
—

preacher

noun
—

preachingly

play \ˈprē-chiŋ-lē\ adverb

See preach defined for English-language learners

See preach defined for kids

Examples of preach in a Sentence

  1. Have you ever heard that minister preach?

  2. The minister preached to the congregation about the need for tolerance.

  3. His followers listened to him preach the gospel.

  4. The priest preached a regular sermon that Sunday.

  5. Their mother has always preached the value of a good education.

  6. Practice what you preach—don't smoke if you tell your children not to smoke.

  7. The mayor continues to preach about the need for patience.

  8. I don't like being preached at about how I should live my life.

Recent Examples of preach from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'preach.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of preach

Middle English prechen, from Anglo-French precher, from Late Latin praedicare, from Latin, to proclaim, make known, from prae- pre- + dicare to proclaim — more at diction

Phrases Related to PREACH

Related Phrases

PREACH Defined for English Language Learners

preach

verb

Definition of preach for English Language Learners

  • : to make a speech about religion in a church or other public place : to deliver a sermon

  • : to write or speak about (something) in an approving way : to say that (something) is good or necessary

  • : to write or speak in an annoying way about the right way to behave

PREACH Defined for Kids

preach

verb \ ˈprēch \

Definition of preach for Students

preached; preaching
1 : to give a sermon
2 : to urge publicly
  • preach patience

Learn More about preach

  1. See words that rhyme with preach Spanish Central: Translation of preach Nglish: Translation of preach for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of preach for Arabic speakers

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