Definition

1. Noun:

   • A formal talk on a serious or academic subject, typically given to a class or an audience: A "lecture" is an educational speech intended to teach or inform listeners about a specific topic.
   • A lengthy and serious reprimand or scolding: A "lecture" can also refer to a stern, often lengthy, talk in which someone is criticized or rebuked for their behavior.

2. Verb:

   • To give a formal talk or speech on a subject, especially to teach students or an audience: To "lecture" means to deliver an educational talk.
   • To reprimand or scold someone at length: To "lecture" someone means to criticize or admonish them seriously and often for a prolonged period.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The professor gave an interesting lecture on quantum physics.
  • After I came home late, I got a long lecture from my parents about responsibility.

• Verb:

  • She will lecture on medieval history at the conference next month.
  • My boss lectured me for an hour about the importance of meeting deadlines.

Advanced Usage

• "to lecture at": This phrasal construction is often used to indicate the place or institution where the lecture is delivered.
  • He has been invited to lecture at several prestigious universities.
• "to give/deliver a lecture": The standard collocation for presenting a formal talk.
  • She was nervous about delivering her first public lecture.

Variants and Related Words

• Lecturer (n): A person who gives lectures, especially at a university or college.
  • He works as a lecturer in the biology department.
• Lectureship (n): The position of a lecturer.
  • She was offered a lectureship at Oxford.

Synonyms

• Noun (Talk): Address, speech, talk, presentation.
• Noun (Scolding): Reprimand, rebuke, admonishment, talking-to.
• Verb (Talk): Speak, address, present.
• Verb (Scold): Reprimand, scold, berate, admonish.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Lecture on: To give a formal talk about a specific subject.
  • The expert will lecture on the effects of climate change.
• Lecture to: To deliver a formal talk to a specific group.
  • He lectures to large first-year classes.

Related Idioms

• To read/give someone a lecture: To scold or reprimand someone at length.
  • My coach read me a lecture after I missed practice.
• A lecture hall/theatre: A large room or building used for giving lectures.
  • The first-year biology class is held in the main lecture hall.

Noun

1. teaching by giving a discourse on some subject (typically to a class)
2. a lengthy rebuke
   • a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline
   • the teacher gave him a talking to
3. a speech that is open to the public
   • he attended a lecture on telecommunications

Verb

1. censure severely or angrily
   • The mother scolded the child for entering a stranger's car
   • The deputy ragged the Prime Minister
   • The customer dressed down the waiter for bringing cold soup
2. deliver a lecture or talk
   • She will talk at Rutgers next week
   • Did you ever lecture at Harvard?