preaching

Everyday

1. (church) Giving religious talks or sermons; the work of a preacher. tree →
2. The message that is preached: «Jesus's preaching about the kingdom of God». tree →
3. (informal, disapproving) Telling others what is right in a bossy, lecturing way: «I'm tired of his preaching.» tree →

In the lessons

In church life preaching is a main part of a service, and some churches are famous for good preaching. In Bible lessons Jesus's preaching in Galilee drew crowds. In everyday talk, «stop preaching» complains about someone lecturing. Phrases: «preaching the gospel», «stop preaching», «preaching to the converted», «lay preaching».

Examples

• The minister's preaching was simple and kind. tree →
• Jesus began preaching in Galilee. tree →
• Mum said, «Less preaching, more helping!» tree →
• John Wesley travelled the country preaching. tree →
• She's preaching to the converted: we already recycle. tree →
• Street preaching happens in the town square on Saturdays. tree →
• But Kari said she thought the priest was such a good man at preaching that she got so much benefit from what he said, and at last she got leave. tree →

Note

Uncountable as a noun. The verb is preach (preached). A person who preaches is a preacher. In the bossy sense, similar to «lecturing» or «moralising».