First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1lecture
noun lec·ture \ˈlek-chər, -shər\
: a talk or speech given to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject
: a talk that criticizes someone's behavior in an angry or serious way
Full Definition of LECTURE
1
: a discourse given before an audience or class especially for instruction
2
: a formal reproof
— lec·ture·ship \-ˌship\ noun
See lecture defined for English-language learners
See lecture defined for kids
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Origin of LECTURE
Middle English, act of reading, from Late Latin lectura, from Latin lectus, past participle of legere
Other Education Terms
2lecture
verb
: to give a talk or a series of talks to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject
: to talk to (someone) in an angry or serious way
lec·turedlec·tur·ing \ˈlek-chə-riŋ, ˈlek-shriŋ\
Full Definition of LECTURE
intransitive verb
: to deliver a lecture or a course of lectures
transitive verb
1
: to deliver a lecture to
2
: to reprove formally
— lec·tur·er \-chər-ər, -shrər\ noun
See lecture defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of LECTURE
circa 1590
LECTURES Defined for Kids
1lecture
noun lec·ture \ˈlek-chər\
Definition of LECTURE for Kids
1
: a talk or speech that teaches something
2
: a serious talk or scolding
2lecture
verb
lec·turedlec·tur·ing
Definition of LECTURE for Kids
1
: to give a talk or speech that teaches something
2
: to give a serious or angry talk to <Dad lectured us about studying.>
— lec·tur·er noun
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