preaching

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preach

(prēch)

v. preached, preach·ing, preach·es

v.tr.

1. To proclaim or put forth in a sermon: preached the gospel.

2. To advocate, especially to urge acceptance of or compliance with: preached tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

3. To deliver (a sermon).

v.intr.

1. To deliver a sermon.

2. To give religious or moral instruction, especially in a tedious manner.

Idiom:

preach to the choir/converted

To argue in favor of a viewpoint already held by one's audience.

[Middle English prechen, from Old French preechier, from Late Latin praedicāre, from Latin, to proclaim : prae-, pre- + dicāre, to proclaim; see deik- in Indo-European roots.]

preach′ing·ly adv.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Noun	1.	preaching - an address of a religious nature (usually delivered during a church service) sermon, discourse church service, church - a service conducted in a house of worship; "don't be late for church" speech, address - the act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience; "he listened to an address on minor Roman poets" baccalaureate - a farewell sermon to a graduating class at their commencement ceremonies kerugma, kerygma - preaching the gospel of Christ in the manner of the early church evangelism - zealous preaching and advocacy of the gospel homily, preachment - a sermon on a moral or religious topic
	2.	preaching - a moralistic rebuke; "your preaching is wasted on him" sermon talking to, lecture, speech - a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to"

preaching

noun sermonizing, instruction, sermons, evangelism, religious teaching the minister's approach to evangelistic preaching

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

Translations

preaching

[ˈpriːtʃɪŋ] N → predicación f (pej) → sermoneo m

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

preaching

n (lit, fig) (= act) → Predigen nt; (= sermon) → Predigt f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

References in classic literature ?

"It's a Methodis' preaching, sir; it's been gev hout as a young woman's a-going to preach on the Green," answered Mr.

And what does your parson say, I wonder, to a young woman preaching just under his nose?"

She was not preaching as she heard others preach, but speaking directly from her own emotions and under the inspiration of her own simple faith.

There was many a responsive sigh and groan from her fellow- Methodists, but the village mind does not easily take fire, and a little smouldering vague anxiety that might easily die out again was the utmost effect Dinah's preaching had wrought in them at present.

View in context

The same difficulty would not occur in preaching, since for this, we may suppose, he had sufficiently prepared his thoughts and expressions to make his discourse intelligible on all important points; and if he should, in some parts, fail of being, understood, he could repeat or correct himself, till he should succeed better.

View in context

Not being hot at his preaching there was less enthusiasm about him now, and the presence of the grinder seemed to embarrass him.

I do believe I ought to preach it, but like the devils I believe and tremble, for I suddenly leave off preaching it, and give way to my passion for you."

View in context

We see the thief preaching against theft, and the adulterer against adultery.

View in context

While among those two classes there were many capable, earnest, godly men and women, still a large proportion took up teaching or preaching as an easy way to make a living.

View in context

But should you change your belief to something that menaces the established order, your preaching would be unacceptable to your employers, and you would be discharged.

* During this period there were many ministers cast out of the church for preaching unacceptable doctrine.

You are as much mercenaries (sincere mercenaries, I grant) as were the men of the Swiss Guard.* Be true to your salt and your hire; guard, with your preaching, the interests of your employers; but do not come down to the working class and serve as false leaders.