lesson

1 of 2

noun

les·​son ˈle-sᵊn 

1

: a passage from sacred writings read in a service of worship

2

a

: a piece of instruction

b

: a reading or exercise to be studied by a pupil

c

: a division of a course of instruction

3

a

: something learned by study or experience

his years of travel had taught him valuable lessons

b

: an instructive example

the lessons of history

c

: reprimand

lesson

2 of 2

verb

lessoned; lessoning ˈle-sə-niŋ 

ˈles-niŋ

transitive verb

1

: to give a lesson to : instruct

2

: lecture, rebuke

Synonyms of lesson

Noun

• assignment
• reading
• homework

Verb

• teach
• educate

Examples of lesson in a Sentence

Noun

You can't go out to play until you've finished your lessons.

The book is divided into 12 lessons.

She took piano lessons for years.

political leaders who have failed to learn the lessons of history

I've learned my lesson—I'll never do that again!

Let that be a lesson to you—if you don't take better care of your toys they'll get broken!

Verb

would tirelessly lesson the children in proper manners

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The impact of that lesson — the ones this sport, in particular, has a way of teaching — will last far longer than the difference in color of ribbon. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 2 Mar. 2026

At an alternative high school in Gwinnett County, getting students to show up has long been one of the toughest lessons. —Alexa Liacko, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2026

Verb

Questions — and hopefully lessons Backcountry around the world are waiting for officials to release more information about what decisions Blackbird’s guides made leading into the tragedy. —Sacbee.com, 28 Feb. 2026

Another $62,000 is for meal delivery and $42,000 has gone to lesson creation costs. —Imani Cruzen, Twin Cities, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French leçon, from Late Latin lection-, lectio, from Latin, act of reading, from legere to read — more at legend

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lesson

• object lesson
• teach (someone) a lesson

Rhymes for lesson

• cresson
• lessen
• delicatessen
• vasopressin

Kids Definition

lesson

noun

les·​son

ˈles-ᵊn

1

: a part of the Scripture read in a church service

2

a

: a reading or exercise assigned to be studied

b

: something learned by study or experience