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

Tehran’s Friday prayer leader asked Bahonar in his weekly sermon. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025

In the new Wake Up Dead Man, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) investigates the death of a monsignor seconds after his last sermon. —Fred Topel, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025

After 2018, Jin transformed Zion Church into a semi-virtual network, uploading sermons online and encouraging members around the country to gather and watch sessions together. —Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2025

Two men who represent two different bastions of power — God and country — in Oklahoma are making sermons of a kind. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Oct. 2025

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