lesson

[ les-uhn ]

noun

1. a section into which a course of study is divided, especially a single, continuous session of formal instruction in a subject:

   The manual was broken down into 50 lessons.

2. a part of a book, an exercise, etc., that is assigned to a student for study:

   The lesson for today is on page 22. He worked assiduously at his music lesson.

3. something to be learned or studied:

   the lessons of the past.

4. a useful piece of practical wisdom acquired by experience or study:

   That accident certainly taught him a lesson in careful driving.

5. something from which a person learns or should learn; an instructive example:

   Her faith should serve as a lesson to all of us.

6. a reproof or punishment intended to teach one better ways.
7. a portion of Scripture or other sacred writing read or appointed to be read at a divine service; lection; pericope.

verb (used with object)

1. to teach; instruct; give a lesson to.
2. to admonish or reprove.

lesson

/ ˈlɛsən /

noun

1. 1. a unit, or single period of instruction in a subject; class

      an hour-long music lesson

   2. the content of such a unit
2. material assigned for individual study
3. something from which useful knowledge or principles can be learned; example
4. the principles, knowledge, etc, gained
5. a reprimand or punishment intended to correct
6. a portion of Scripture appointed to be read at divine service

verb

1. rare.
   tr to censure or punish

Word History and Origins

Origin of lesson¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lesso(u)n, from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiōn-, stem of lēctiō “a reading”; lection

Word History and Origins

Origin of lesson¹

C13: from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiō, from legere to read

Idioms and Phrases

see learn one's lesson ; teach a lesson .

Example Sentences

At the same time, because it takes place over many years, with much elided, the series can sometimes feel abstract, especially when it moves away from Dolours — a history lesson in bits and pieces, rather than living history.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's not like Pharrell learned a big lesson from the case. I don't know if it actually changed him in any way, which is what I'm looking for, when I'm looking at a story."

From BBC

What began with Samuel Paty giving a lesson on freedom of expression in October 2020 escalated when the father of the girl, who had not even been in the class, turned up at the headteacher's office with a local Islamist activist.

From BBC

Since Trump won the presidency last week, Biden and his team have made a point of highlighting their cooperation, which they see as a teachable moment in a public civics lesson.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m talking with a Paramount publicist who is giving me a history lesson on how the Romans filled the Colosseum with water in order to stage a naval battle.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• class
• education
• exercise
• homework
• instruction
• lecture
• practice
• reading
• study
• task
• teaching
• test