sermon

[ sur-muhn ]

noun

1. a discourse for the purpose of religious instruction or exhortation, especially one based on a text of Scripture and delivered by a member of the clergy as part of a religious service.
2. any serious speech, discourse, or exhortation, especially on a moral issue.

   Synonyms: lecture

3. a long, tedious speech.

   Synonyms: tirade, harangue, lecture

sermon

/ ˈsɜːmən; sɜːˈmɒnɪk /

noun

1. 1. an address of religious instruction or exhortation, often based on a passage from the Bible, esp one delivered during a church service
   2. a written version of such an address
2. a serious speech, esp one administering reproof

Derived Forms

• sermonic, adjective

Other Words From

• sermon·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sermon¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Medieval Latin sermōn- (stem of sermō ) speech from pulpit, Latin: discourse, equivalent to ser- (base of serere to link up, organize) + -mōn- noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of sermon¹

C12: via Old French from Latin sermō discourse, probably from serere to join together

Example Sentences

“Our role model is the Prophet Muhammad, who founded a nation and did not establish political parties that divide the nation. Therefore, parties in Islam are forbidden,” he said in a sermon he gave at a mosque several years ago.

From BBC

“The value of defeating the Democratic Party makes Trump a price we’re willing to pay,” he said, quoting an imam from a recent sermon in Dearborn, where rallies and religious sermons have encouraged their communities to “conscience vote.”

From Slate

In a follow-up email, the Examiner explained that as with “the NAR's retelling of the William Penn narrative, local Anabaptist-turned-NAR churches have massaged their own history,” citing one sermon in which a local pastor “twists the narrative a quarter-turn or so to frame south central Pennsylvania's NAR community as uniquely called by God for such a time as this.”

From Salon

They cannot alienate thousands of ordinary citizens looking for a good time, not a sermon.

From BBC

Although he stepped back from active church duties at Rhema in 2022, he preached a sermon at the church a few weeks ago.

From BBC

Related Words

• advice
• exhortation
• homily
• lecture
• lesson
• preaching
• tirade