preach

play

verb \ ˈprēch \

Definition of preach

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.

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preacher

noun

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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

Ferrell said he's been able to lean on something former Indiana coach Tom Crean preached when Ferrell played for the Hoosiers.

— w.g. ramirez, The Courier-Journal, "Yogi Ferrell on NBA: 'I'm definitely here to stay'," 17 July 2017
This reaction does not point toward budget-balancing governors preaching pragmatism.

— jonathan martin, New York Times, "As Party Drifts Left, Pragmatic Democratic Governors Have Eye on White House," 17 July 2017
But even as Maduro was preaching pace, there were fresh reports of intimidation and bloodshed.

— cody weddle and jim wyss, miamiherald, "Venezuelans rebuke government in massive ‘symbolic’ vote," 16 July 2017
Nevertheless, Ariel continues to fire back, preaching nothing but self-love, body acceptance, and a no-judgment policy.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, "Ariel Winter Claps Back at People Criticizing Her Shorts," 14 July 2017
So, in the meantime, Ariel continues to fire back, preaching nothing but self-love, body acceptance, and a no-judgment policy.

— andrea park, Glamour, "Ariel Winter Fires Back at People Criticizing Her Shorts," 14 July 2017
Some preached curtailed growth, while others believed human ingenuity could meet the challenge.

— katherine mast, Discover Magazine, "Everything Worth Knowing About ... the Future of Food," 26 June 2017
Today, the mosque in northern Djibo province where the slight, unimposing man used to preach is closed, and the mud-brick walls of his village’s school are riddled with bullet holes.

— simon gongo, Bloomberg.com, "Islamist Preacher's Turn to Violence Shows Threat to West Africa," 19 June 2017
Anything Can Surface Times have changed since Pincince sat in an auditorium as a student-athlete with local leaders preaching right and wrong.

— desmond conner, courant.com, "Friend Request: Central's Pincince Wants To Help Students Learn Social Media Realities," 18 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

preach Synonyms

Synonyms

sermonize

Related Words

evangelize; lecture, platitudinize, preachify

PREACH Defined for English Language Learners

preach

play

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