lecture
Lecture (noun) means a talk given to teach an audience about a subject. Example: “The professor's lecture on Roman history ran an hour over.”
How to Use Lecture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal educational talk, or — informally — a scolding.
Word Forms
lectured past tense, lectures plural, lectures singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The professor's _____ on Roman history ran an hour over.
Etymology
From Latin lectura, "a reading," from legere, "to read or recite" — lectures originally meant someone reading a text aloud to students.
Related Words
Rhymes for lecture
See all rhymes for lecture →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “lecture” mean?
The word “lecture” means a talk given to teach an audience about a subject. In plain terms, a formal educational talk, or — informally — a scolding.
How do you pronounce “lecture”?
“Lecture” is pronounced LEHK-chuh (/ˈlɛk.t͡ʃɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lecture” in a sentence?
Here is “lecture” used in a sentence: “The professor's lecture on Roman history ran an hour over.”
What part of speech is “lecture”?
Depending on how it is used, “lecture” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lecture” come from?
The word “lecture” comes from Latin. From Latin lectura, "a reading," from legere, "to read or recite" — lectures originally meant someone reading a text aloud to students.
Is “lecture” a common word?
“Lecture” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “lecture” have?
“Lecture” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a talk given to teach an audience about a subject.
What is the difference between a "lecture" and a "lesson"?
A "lecture" is usually a formal, one-way talk given to teach an audience, common at universities. A "lesson" is typically shorter and more interactive, often involving exercises and questions, and is common in schools.
What is the difference between a "lecture" and a "seminar"?
In a "lecture," one speaker presents to a large, mostly listening audience. A "seminar" is smaller and more discussion-based, with participants expected to take part and share ideas.
Why does "lecture" sometimes have a negative meaning?
Besides an educational talk, "lecture" can mean a long, stern telling-off meant to correct someone's behaviour. So getting a lecture from a parent means being scolded at length, not attending a class.
What verbs are commonly used with "lecture"?
You typically "give," "deliver," or "attend" a lecture. In the scolding sense, people say someone "gave" them a lecture about their behaviour.
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