sermon

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noun ser·mon \ˈsər-mən\

Definition of sermon

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

play \ˌsər-ˈmä-nik\ adjective

See sermon defined for English-language learners

See sermon defined for kids

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 of sermon from the Web

Just like Mr. Pairoz, Mawlawi Hanafi, the seminary founder in Parwan, was critical of the Taliban’s path, and often spoke of politics passionately in his sermons.

— mujib mashal and jawad sukhanyar, New York Times, "Taliban Target: Scholars of Islam", 28 May 2017
The American Revolutionary Archive includes letters, memos, documents, treaties, sermons, diaries, military reports, eyewitness accounts, databases and other historical material.

— m.j. rose, WIRED, "Authors Lose Sight of Writer Site", 10 Apr. 2001

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

Origin and Etymology of sermon

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

SERMON Defined for English Language Learners

sermon

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noun

Definition of sermon for English Language Learners

: a speech about a moral or religious subject that is usually given by a religious leader
: a serious talk about how someone should behave

SERMON Defined for Kids

sermon

play

noun ser·mon \ˈsər-mən\

Definition of sermon for Students

1 : a speech usually by a priest, minister, or rabbi for the purpose of giving religious instruction
2 : a serious talk to a person about his or her conduct