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

Hamilton once noted in a sermon that cattle ranching exacerbates climate change. — Emma Green, New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2026

The effect can be dull, in the way a sermon where the priest reads again from the dusty manuscript can be dull. — Emma Madden, Pitchfork, 28 Oct. 2026

Writing a sermon—or a story, essay, or poem—is an exercise in risk and vulnerability. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026

Her column ran like clockwork through America’s breakfast tables, a sermon of what was right and who had sinned. — Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 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