lesson

les-son · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A period of instruction in a subject or skill; a class.

  2. 2.

    Something learned through experience, especially an experience that serves as a warning or encouragement.

  3. 3.

    A passage from the Bible or other religious text read during a church service.

  4. 4.

    A section of a textbook or course of study.

Forms

plural: lessons

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    teach someone a lesson — to punish or discipline someone so they learn from the experience
  • •
    learn one's lesson — to gain wisdom from a negative experience
  • •
    object lesson — a practical demonstration of a principle
  • •
    life lesson — wisdom gained through personal experience
  • •
    lesson plan — a teacher's outline for a class

Related words

See also: class, education, instruction, learning, teaching
Synonyms: class, instruction, lecture, tutorial

Etymology

From Old French lecon, from Latin lectio ("a reading"), from legere ("to read"). The word entered English in the 12th century and originally referred to a portion of Scripture read in church.