Definition of lecture noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lecture

noun

ˈlektʃə(r) lecture pronunciation American

ˈlektʃər

lecture (to somebody) (on/about something)

1 a talk that is given to a group of people to teach them about a particular subject, often as part of a university or college courseto deliver/give a lecture to first-year studentsto attend a series of lectures on Jane Austena lecture room/hall2 a long angry talk that somebody gives to one person or a group of people because they have done something wrongI know I should stop smoking—don't give me a lecture about it.

Usage note: EducationLearningacquire/get/lack (an) education/training/(British English) (some) qualificationsreceive/provide somebody with training/tuitiondevelop/design/plan a curriculum/(especially British English) course/(North American English) program/syllabusgive/go to/attend a class/lesson/lecture/seminarhold/run/conduct a class/seminar/workshopsign up for/take a course/classes/lessonsSchoolgo to/start preschool/kindergarten/nursery schoolbe in the first, second, etc. (North American English) grade/(especially British English) year (at school)study/take/drop history/chemistry/German, etc.(British English) leave/finish/drop out of/(North American English) quit school(North American English) graduate high school/collegeProblems at schoolbe the victim/target of bullying(British English) play truant from/(both British English, informal) bunk off/skive off school (= not go to school when you should)(both especially North American English) skip/cut class/school(British English) cheat in/(North American English) cheat on an exam/a testget/be given a detention (for doing something)be expelled from/be suspended from schoolWork and examsdo your homework/(British English) revision/a project on somethingwork on/write/do/submit an essay/a dissertation/a thesis/an assignment/(North American English) a paperfinish/complete your dissertation/thesis/studies/courseworkhand in/(North American English) turn in your homework/essay/assignment/paperstudy/prepare/(British English) revise/(North American English) review/(North American English, informal) cram for a test/an examtake/(both British English) do/sit a test/an exam(especially British English) mark/(especially North American English) grade homework/a test(British English) do well in/(North American English) do well on/(informal, especially North American English) ace a test/an exampass/fail/(informal, especially North American English) flunk a test/an exam/a class/a course/a subjectUniversityapply to/get into/go to/start college/(British English) universityleave/graduate from law school/college/(British English) university (with a degree in computer science)study for/take/(British English) do/complete a law degree/a degree in physics(both North American English) major/minor in biology/philosophyearn/receive/be awarded/get/have/hold a master's degree/a bachelor's degree/a PhD in economics

Usage note: speechlecture address talk sermonThese are all words for a talk given to an audience.speech a formal talk given to an audience: Several people made speeches at the wedding.lecture a talk given to a group of people to tell them about a particular subject, often as part of a university or college course: a lecture on the Roman army ◇ a course/series of lecturesaddress a formal speech given to an audience: a televised presidential addressspeech or address?A speech can be given on a public or private occasion; an address is always public: He gave an address at the wedding.talk a fairly informal session in which somebody tells a group of people about a subject: She gave an interesting talk on her visit to China.sermon a talk on a moral or religious subject, usually given by a religious leader during a service: to preach a sermona long/short speech/lecture/address/talk/sermona keynote speech/lecture/addressto write/prepare/give/deliver/hear a(n) speech/lecture/address/talk/sermonto attend/go to a lecture/talk