lecture
LEHK-chuh
Lecture (noun) means a talk given to teach an audience about a subject. Example: “Her lecture about volcanoes made everyone in the room curious to learn more.”
noun
1
A talk given to teach an audience about a subject.
"Her lecture about volcanoes made everyone in the room curious to learn more."
"The professor's lecture on Roman history ran an hour over."
"Students packed the hall for the guest lecture on climate policy."
2
A long, stern talking-to meant to correct someone's behaviour.
"I got a long lecture from my aunt about wasting food."
"He sat quietly through the lecture on being punctual."
"Dad gave us a lecture about staying out too late."
verb
1
To give a formal talk teaching a subject.
"He lectures to large groups of engineering students every Tuesday morning."
"She was invited to lecture at the museum about local history."
"She lectures on marine biology at the university."
2
To scold or reprimand someone at length.
"My sister likes to lecture me about eating more vegetables."
"Please do not lecture the children in front of their friends."
"Stop lecturing me — I already know I was wrong."
How to use lecture
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal educational talk, or — informally — a scolding.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
attend a lecture
give someone a lecture
lecture hall
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Word forms
- Plural
- lectures
- Third person singular
- lectures
- Past tense
- lectured
Fill the gap
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Her _____ about volcanoes made everyone in the room curious to learn more.
Etymology
From Latin lectura, "a reading," from legere, "to read or recite" — lectures originally meant someone reading a text aloud to students.
Synonyms
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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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