lecture

UK: /ˈlɛktʃə^r/ US: /ˈlɛktʃɚ/ ,(lek′chər)

Inflections of 'lecture' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

lectures

v 3rd person singular

lecturing

v pres p

lectured

v past

lectured

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

lec•ture /ˈlɛktʃɚ/   n., v., -tured, -tur•ing. 
n. [countable]

1. a talk delivered before an audience or a class, esp. for instruction or to set forth some subject:
   a lecture on modern art.
2. a speech of warning or scolding;
   a long reprimand:
   got a stern lecture on being responsible.

v. 

3. to give a lecture or series of lectures: [no object]
   He lectured to a number of student groups.
   [~ + object]
   She lectured the students on diplomacy.
4. to scold or warn, esp. at some length: [~ + object]
   She lectured her children on good table manners.
   [no object]
   She lectured to them.

lec•tur•er, n. [countable] See -lec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

lec•ture  (lek′chər), n., v., -tured, -tur•ing. 
n. 

1. a speech read or delivered before an audience or class, esp. for instruction or to set forth some subject:
   a lecture on Picasso's paintings.
2. a speech of warning or reproof as to conduct;
   a long, tedious reprimand.

v.i. 

3. to give a lecture or series of lectures:
   He spent the year lecturing to various student groups.

v.t. 

4. to deliver a lecture to or before;
   instruct by lectures.
5. to rebuke or reprimand at some length:
   He lectured the child regularly but with little effect.

• Medieval Latin lēctūra a reading. See lection, -ure
• late Middle English 1375–1425

Synonyms

• 1. address, talk, paper, oratim, discourse.
• 4. address, teach.
• 5. admonish; hector.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lecture / ˈlɛktʃə/ noun

1. a discourse on a particular subject given or read to an audience
2. the text of such a discourse
3. a method of teaching by formal discourse
4. a lengthy reprimand or scolding

verb

1. to give or read a lecture (to an audience or class)
2. (transitive) to reprimand at length

Etymology: 14th Century: from Medieval Latin lectūra reading, from legere to read