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lecture

American  
[lek-cher] / ˈlɛk tʃər /

noun

  1. a speech read or delivered before an audience or class, especially for instruction or to set forth some subject.

    a lecture on Picasso's paintings.
    Synonyms:
    discourse, paper, talk, address

  2. a speech of warning or reproof as to conduct; a long, tedious reprimand.

verb (used without object)

lectured, lecturing

  1. to give a lecture or series of lectures.

    He spent the year lecturing to various student groups.

verb (used with object)

lectured, lecturing

  1. to deliver a lecture to or before; instruct by lectures.

    Synonyms:
    teach, address

  2. to rebuke or reprimand at some length.

    He lectured the child regularly but with little effect.
    Synonyms:
    hector, admonish
lecture British  
/ ˈlɛktʃə /

noun

  1. a discourse on a particular subject given or read to an audience

  2. the text of such a discourse

  3. a method of teaching by formal discourse

  4. a lengthy reprimand or scolding

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to give or read a lecture (to an audience or class)

  2. (tr) to reprimand at length

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • prelecture noun
  • unlectured adjective

Etymology

Origin of lecture

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin lēctūra “a reading”; lection, -ure

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As life went on, Stanton got well into the intricacies of movement politics: meetings, rivalries, lectures, tactical disputes, the waxing and waning of public support.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who presides over a center-left coalition government, responded on X: “Mr. Ambassador Rose, allies should respect, not lecture, each other. At least this is how we, here in Poland, understand partnership.”

From The Wall Street Journal

After an evening lecture and demonstration of spirit rappings at a local theater, Albany’s audience was invited to book personal conversations with the spirits.

From Literature

I’ve gone from broadcasting a daily radio show, writing a weekly column, flying to deliver at least one lecture a week, and taking at least one listener cruise a year to a bedridden life.

From The Wall Street Journal

When most people think about the quintessential student experience, they may conjure up images of late night parties, early morning lectures and spending time in the student union bar between classes.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.