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

And the messaging of Goebbels’s Propaganda Ministry, with its domination of radio, was, according to a German writer, like a medieval sermon, with tales of redemption through service and transcendence through loyalty to a cause. —Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026

Late in his life, Dollison delivered sermons for Church of Christ congregations in Rector, Greenway and Jonesboro, as well as in the Missouri communities of Leachville and Campbell. —Arkansas Online, 25 Apr. 2026

And the notes that accompany the sermons in outline form are strikingly similar to those Bickle provided for years, even down to the practice of boldfacing, italicizing and underlining certain points. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2026

Most were held at church, which meant the price of fried fish was often sitting through an extended sermon led by a long-winded pastor. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 20 Apr. 2026

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