lesson

UK: /ˈlɛs^ən/ US: /ˈlɛsən/ ,(les′ən)

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

les•son /ˈlɛsən/   n. [countable]

1. a section into which a course of study is divided:
   to take driving lessons.
2. a unit of a book, an exercise, etc., that is assigned to a student for study.
3. something to be learned or studied:
   Have we learned anything from the lessons of history?
4. a useful piece of practical wisdom coming from one's experience or study:
   The accident taught him a lesson.
5. a punishment intended to teach one better ways:
   If she does that again, he'll give her a good lesson.
6. Religion a portion of Scripture read at a church service.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

les•son  (les′ən), n. 

1. a section into which a course of study is divided, esp. a single, continuous session of formal instruction in a subject:
   The manual was broken down into 50 lessons.
2. a part of a book, an exercise, etc., that is assigned to a student for study:
   The lesson for today is on page 22. He worked assiduously at his music lesson.
3. something to be learned or studied:
   the lessons of the past.
4. a useful piece of practical wisdom acquired by experience or study:
   That accident certainly taught him a lesson in careful driving.
5. something from which a person learns or should learn;
   an instructive example:
   Her faith should serve as a lesson to all of us.
6. a reproof or punishment intended to teach one better ways.
7. Religion a portion of Scripture or other sacred writing read or appointed to be read at a divine service;
   lection;
   pericope.

v.t. 

8. to teach;
   instruct;
   give a lesson to.
9. to admonish or reprove.

• Latin lēctiōn- (stem of lēctiō) lection
• Old French leçon
• Middle English lesso(u)n 1175–1225

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

lesson / ˈlɛs^ən/ noun

1. a unit, or single period of instruction in a subject; class: an hour-long music lesson
2. the content of such a unit
3. material assigned for individual study
4. something from which useful knowledge or principles can be learned; example
5. the principles, knowledge, etc, gained
6. a reprimand or punishment intended to correct
7. a portion of Scripture appointed to be read at divine service

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiō, from legere to read