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lesson

/ˈlɛsn/
/ˈlɛsən/
IPA guide

Other forms: lessons

When a story has something to teach its reader, it has a lesson. The lessons of many folktales range from "always tell the truth" to "be brave" to "find a prince."

There are different kinds of lessons, but they're all meant to teach someone how to do something or some new information. In a French lesson, a teacher teaches you the French language, and in a sewing lesson, you'll learn how to make something using fabric and a sewing machine. A typical day at school is one lesson after another. Originally, lesson had two meanings: "something learned by a student" and "a reading aloud from the Bible."

Definitions of lesson
  1. noun
    the significance of a story or event
    synonyms: moral
    see moresee less
    type of:
    import, meaning, significance, signification
    the message that is intended or expressed or signified
  2. noun
    a unit of instruction
    “he took driving lessons
    see moresee less
    types:
    language lesson
    a period of instruction learning a language
    dance lesson
    a lesson in dancing
    music lesson
    a lesson in performing music
    tennis lesson
    a lesson in playing tennis
    golf lesson
    a lesson in playing golf
    French lesson
    instruction in the French language
    German lesson
    instruction in the German language
    Hebrew lesson
    instruction in the Hebrew language
    piano lesson
    a lesson in playing the piano
    violin lesson
    a less in playing the violin
    type of:
    instruction, pedagogy, teaching
    the profession of a teacher
  3. noun
    a task assigned for individual study
    “he did the lesson for today”
    see moresee less
    types:
    example, exercise
    a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding
    reading assignment
    the reading of a passage assigned by the teacher
    history lesson
    a lesson in the facts of history
    type of:
    school assignment, schoolwork
    a school task performed by a student to satisfy the teacher
  4. noun
    punishment intended as a warning to others
    see moresee less
    type of:
    admonition, monition, warning, word of advice
    cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness)
Pronunciation
US
/ˈlɛsn/
UK
/ˈlɛsən/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘lesson'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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