lesson
n. · v.-
1 something learned from experience (n.) B1 Intermediatean experience that teaches you how to behave or what to do in the future.
a principle or piece of wisdom acquired through experience, often involving a mistake or a hardship.
ExampleLosing his job was a hard lesson, but it taught him to save money.
ExampleThe financial crisis served as a painful lesson for investors who had ignored the risks of the housing market bubble.
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2 a warning or punishment (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatean experience that acts as a warning to you or others.
an occurrence that serves as a deterrent or a corrective example to others.
ExampleThe judge gave the thief a long sentence to teach him a lesson.
ExampleThe heavy fine was intended to teach the corporation a lesson about violating environmental safety regulations.
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3 religious reading (n.) C1 Advanced Formal Religiona passage from the Bible or another holy book read during a church service.
a portion of Scripture or other religious text appointed to be read at a divine service.
ExampleThe young man stood up to read the first lesson during the morning service.
ExampleThe vicar selected a lesson from the Old Testament that mirrored the themes of the upcoming festival.
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4 to teach or scold (v.) C2 Proficiency Archaic Literaryto teach someone or to tell them off for doing something wrong.
to instruct or to rebuke someone. This usage is rare in modern speech.
ExampleThe old master would lesson his students for hours on the importance of patience.
ExampleHe sought to lesson the boy in the ways of the court, though his efforts were met with stubborn resistance.
From Middle English lessoun, from Old French leçon, from Latin lēctiō, lēctiōnem (“a reading”), from legō (“to read; to gather”). Doublet of lection.