lecture

1 of 2

noun

lec·​ture ˈlek-chər 

-shər

1

: a discourse given before an audience or class especially for instruction

2

: a formal reproof

lectureship

ˈlek-chər-ˌship 

-shər-

noun

lecture

2 of 2

verb

lectured; lecturing ˈlek-chə-riŋ 

ˈlek-shriŋ

intransitive verb

: to deliver a lecture or a course of lectures

transitive verb

1

: to deliver a lecture to

2

: to reprove formally

lecturer

ˈlek-chər-ər 

ˈlek-shrər

noun

Synonyms of lecture

Verb

• scold
• reprimand
• blame
• criticize

Examples of lecture in a Sentence

Noun

She's planning to give a series of lectures on modern art.

Several hundred people are expected to attend the lecture.

I came home late and got a lecture from my parents.

I gave her a lecture about doing better in school.

Verb

She lectures in art at the local college.

They lectured their children about the importance of honesty.

I lectured her about doing better in school.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This week features a three-night program of music, lectures, and other activities organized by the artist Mark Leckey. —Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 29 Apr. 2026

Chapman’s lecture was one of several sessions making up the first day of Screen Forever 40, the three-day industry conference marking the 40th edition of the Screen Producers Australia gathering. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

Verb

For years, states such as New York and California have been run by politicians who seem to believe prosperity is permanent — an endless resource to be taxed a little more, regulated a little harder and lectured a little longer. —Larry Clifton, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026

Steve Kerr's new New Yorker interview sounds a lot less like a man eager to lecture Americans and a lot more like a man trying to clean up a mess he's spent years making. —Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, act of reading, from Late Latin lectura, from Latin lectus, past participle of legere

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing lecture

• curtain lecture
• lecture hall

Rhymes for lecture

• architecture
• conjecture
• prefecture

Kids Definition

lecture

1 of 2 noun

lec·​ture ˈlek-chər 

-shər

1

: a talk given before an audience or class especially for instruction

2

: reprimand entry 1, scolding

lecture

2 of 2 verb

lectured; lecturing ˈlek-chə-riŋ 

ˈlek-shriŋ

1

: to give a lecture or a series of lectures

2

: to instruct by lectures

3

: reprimand entry 2, scold

lecturer

-chər-ər 

-shrər

noun