lecture

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a lengthy rebuke

   a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline

2. 2
   noun

   a speech that is open to the public

   I attended an in-depth lecture on telecommunications.

3. 3
   noun

   A spoken lesson or exposition, usually delivered to a group.

   During class today the professor delivered an interesting lecture.

4. 4
   noun

   A class that primarily consists of a (weekly or other regularly held) lecture (as in sense 1), usually at college or university.

   We will not have lecture tomorrow.

5. 5
   noun

   A berating or scolding, especially if lengthy, formal or given in a stern or angry manner.

   I really don't want you to give me a lecture about my bad eating habits.

6. 6
   noun

   The act of reading.

   the lecture of Holy Scripture

7. 7
   verb

   To teach (somebody) by giving a speech on a given topic.

   The professor lectured to two classes this morning.

8. 8
   verb

   To preach, to berate, to scold.

   Emily's father lectured her about the importance of being home before midnight.

Etymology

From Middle English lecture, lectour, letture, letteur, lettur, lectury, from Medieval Latin or Late Latin lectura (“reading”), from Latin lectus, past participle of legō (“to read, recite”). Doublet of lector.