First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
preach
verb \ˈprēch\
: to make a speech about religion in a church or other public place : to deliver a sermon
: to write or speak about (something) in an approving way : to say that (something) is good or necessary
: to write or speak in an annoying way about the right way to behave
Full Definition of PREACH
intransitive verb
1
: to deliver a sermon
2
: to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action; specifically : to exhort in an officious or tiresome manner
transitive verb
1
: to set forth in a sermon <preach the gospel>
2
: to advocate earnestly <preached revolution>
3
: to deliver (as a sermon) publicly
4
: to bring, put, or affect by preaching <preached the … church out of debt — American Guide Series: Virginia>
— preach·er noun
— preach·ing·ly \ˈprē-chiŋ-lē\ adverb
See preach defined for English-language learners
See preach defined for kids
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Origin of PREACH
Middle English prechen, from Anglo-French precher, from Late Latin praedicare, from Latin, to proclaim, make known, from prae- pre- + dicare to proclaim — more at diction
Related to PREACH
- Synonyms
- sermonize
PREACHINGLY Defined for Kids
preach
verb \ˈprēch\
preachedpreach·ing
Definition of PREACH for Kids
1
: to give a sermon
2
: to urge publicly <preach patience>
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