preach

verb \ ˈprēch \

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of preach

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

Have you ever heard that minister preach?
The minister preached to the congregation about the need for tolerance.
His followers listened to him preach the gospel.
The priest preached a regular sermon that Sunday.
Their mother has always preached the value of a good education.
Practice what you preach—don't smoke if you tell your children not to smoke.
The mayor continues to preach about the need for patience.
I don't like being preached at about how I should live my life.

Recent Examples of preach from the Web

The only problem is that Trump is the U.S. president with the least moral authority to preach democracy and human rights in recent memory.

— andrés oppenheimer, miamiherald, "A Trump-Castro encounter may steal the show at the Summit of the Americas | Miami Herald," 7 Apr. 2018
The Panthers have preached that seemingly every game over the past two months was a must-win game.

— matthew defranks, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Jared McCann scores late as Panthers beat Bruins, stave off elimination," 6 Apr. 2018
If Hosea was sent to preach love and forgiveness centuries ago, Martin Luther was sent to expound the doctrine of nonviolence and forgiveness in the third quarter of the 20th century.

— time staff, Time, "Only One Official Eulogy Was Delivered at Martin Luther King Jr.'s Public Funeral. Read the Full Text Here," 4 Apr. 2018
The aim is to regulate the Pentecostal churches that often spring up under leaders who claim to have received a call to preach.

— ignatius ssuuna, Fox News, "Rwanda closes thousands of churches in bid for more control," 4 Apr. 2018
Once defined by massive spending and ambitious exploration, some of the world’s biggest energy companies have begun to preach frugality.

— bradley olson, WSJ, "In the Oil Patch, Bigger Is No Longer Better," 2 Apr. 2018
Historic sites across downtown Memphis are getting an influx of visitors who want to see the sites where King preached and died.

— adelle m. banks, Houston Chronicle, "Remembering King’s last sermon with renewed hope," 1 Apr. 2018
James Moore and Andie Springer love to preach, and music is their gospel.

— michael james rocha, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Fresh Sound to present new-music duo James Moore and Andie Springer," 29 Mar. 2018
King’s children were used to his short visits home between constant travels throughout the country to preach civil rights and nonviolence.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Dream had become a nightmare for MLK in the last year of his life," 28 Mar. 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

See Words from the same year

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up preach? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

preach

Definition of preach

preacher

preachingly

Examples of preach in a Sentence

Recent Examples of preach from the Web

Origin and Etymology of preach

PREACH Defined for English Language Learners

preach

Definition of preach for English Language Learners

PREACH Defined for Kids

preach

Definition of preach for Students

Learn More about preach

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

slew

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

‘Sleight’ or ‘Slight’ of Hand?

'Complement' vs. 'Compliment'

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

True or False?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

preach

Definition of preach

preacher

preachingly

Examples of preach in a Sentence

Recent Examples of preach from the Web

Origin and Etymology of preach

Phrases Related to PREACH

Related Phrases

PREACH Defined for English Language Learners

preach

Definition of preach for English Language Learners

PREACH Defined for Kids

preach

Definition of preach for Students

Learn More about preach

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point"

Trending: 'Venom' Trailer Drives Searches for 'Symbiote'

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes