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View synonyms for

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

/ ˈɛə /

noun

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

      an hour-long music lesson

    2. the content of such a unit
  1. material assigned for individual study
  2. something from which useful knowledge or principles can be learned; example
  3. the principles, knowledge, etc, gained
  4. a reprimand or punishment intended to correct
  5. a portion of Scripture appointed to be read at divine service
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. rare.
    tr to censure or punish
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of lesson1

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lesso(u)n, from Old French çDz, from Latin ŧپō-, stem of ŧپō “a reading”; lection
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Word History and Origins

Origin of lesson1

C13: from Old French çDz, from Latin ŧپō, from legere to read
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Idioms and Phrases

see learn one's lesson ; teach a lesson .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But for some, the lesson of history is that Mexico may again suffer the fate of being neighbor to one of the most powerful countries in the world.

From

The ballet teacher, who trained in London and Paris, has pupils who travel hundreds of miles every week for her 90-minute lessons in Edinburgh.

From

Self-assurance is a lesson he learned the hard way.

From

The court heard the father-of-three, whose previous clubs include Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion, had been driving his daughter to a piano lesson when the crash took place.

From

Justice secretary Angela Constance said the inquiry would "provide answers to the victims and survivors involved and ensure that lessons are learned for the future".

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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