Definition

1. Noun:
   • A speech on a religious or moral subject, typically delivered by a religious leader during a worship service: A formal discourse intended to provide spiritual instruction or exhortation.
   • A serious talk or piece of writing on behavior, responsibility, etc., especially one that is long and tedious: A lengthy and often moralizing reprimand or lecture.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Religious address):
  • The priest delivered a sermon about compassion.
  • Her sermon inspired the congregation to reflect on their actions.
• Noun (Moralizing lecture):
  • After I came home late, my father gave me a long sermon about responsibility.
  • The manager's lecture felt more like a stern sermon on workplace ethics.

Advanced Usage

• "To preach a sermon": To deliver a formal religious or moral discourse.
  • The visiting bishop will preach the sermon this Sunday.
• "Sermon on the mount": A famous biblical sermon delivered by Jesus, often used as a cultural reference to a significant moral teaching.
  • His speech was hailed as a modern-day sermon on the mount for environmentalists.

Variants and Related Words

• Sermonize (verb): To deliver or compose a sermon; to lecture someone in a moralizing way.
  • He has a tendency to sermonize about the virtues of hard work.
• Sermonic (adjective): Resembling or characteristic of a sermon.
  • The article had a sermonic tone, urging readers to reform their habits.

Synonyms

• Homily: A religious discourse that is primarily intended for spiritual edification.
• Lecture: A long, serious speech, especially one given as a scolding or warning.
• Discourse: A formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing.

Related Phrases

• "To read someone a sermon": To give someone a severe lecture or reprimand.
  • My teacher read me a sermon after I failed to turn in my assignment.

Noun

1. a moralistic rebuke
   • your preaching is wasted on him
2. an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service)