noun
Uncommon
preaching
PREET-shihng
Preaching (noun) means the act of delivering sermons or moral instruction. Example: “His preaching drew large crowds every weekend.”
noun
1
The act of delivering sermons or moral instruction.
"His preaching drew large crowds every weekend."
"The village was used to the vicar's gentle preaching on Sunday mornings."
"Years of preaching in small churches had given her a calm, clear speaking voice."
How to use preaching
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of giving a sermon, or, informally, lecturing someone about how to behave.
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Word forms
- Plural
- preachings
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His _____ drew large crowds every weekend.
Etymology
From Middle English "prechynge," the -ing form of "preach."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for preaching
See all rhymes for preaching →Frequently asked questions
What does “preaching” mean?
The word “preaching” means the act of delivering sermons or moral instruction. In plain terms, the act of giving a sermon, or, informally, lecturing someone about how to behave.
How do you pronounce “preaching”?
“Preaching” is pronounced PREET-shihng (/ˈpɹiːt͡ʃɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “preaching” in a sentence?
Here is “preaching” used in a sentence: “His preaching drew large crowds every weekend.”
What part of speech is “preaching”?
“Preaching” is a noun.
Where does the word “preaching” come from?
The word “preaching” comes from Middle English. From Middle English "prechynge," the -ing form of "preach.".
Is “preaching” a common word?
“Preaching” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between preaching and preachy?
Preaching is the noun or verb form describing the act of delivering sermons or moral instruction, while preachy is an adjective describing a tone or manner that is excessively moralizing and often unwelcome. Something can involve preaching without necessarily coming across as preachy.
Why do people say 'preaching to the choir'?
The phrase 'preaching to the choir' means giving moral or persuasive arguments to people who already agree with you, making the preaching unnecessary. It draws on the image of a preacher addressing an audience, in this case the church choir, that needs no convincing.
Is preaching only used in a religious context?
No, while preaching originally refers to delivering sermons or moral instruction in a religious setting, it is also used more broadly for any insistent moral or practical advice-giving, especially when it feels tiresome to the listener.
