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

• homily

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

Official news from the Vatican about the assemblies lands like a dull sermon. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 3 May 2025

In a cynical age starving for integrity, the authenticity of his life spoke louder than any sermon. —Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025

Critics saw in these sermons superficial, saccharine notes divorced from scripture. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025

The vice president, who is Catholic, has publicly sparred with Church officials over the administration’s immigration policies but shared a link to a COVID-19 era sermon that Francis delivered as part of his Monday tribute. —Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 21 Apr. 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