punishment intended as a warning to others
"they decided to make an example of him"
A section of learning or teaching into which a wider learning content is divided.
"The teacher broke down the complex chapter on photosynthesis into three separate lessons for us to study over the week."
In plain English: A lesson is something you learn from an experience, mistake, or class that helps you understand how things work better next time.
"The teacher gave us a lesson on how to write proper sentences."
Usage: Use "lesson" to refer to a specific unit of instruction within a broader course or subject matter. It typically denotes the material covered in a single class session rather than the entire educational experience.
To give a lesson to; to teach.
"The coach gave me an extra practice session after my mistake to show me how to improve."
In plain English: To learn something new by studying or being taught.
"The experience taught us an important lesson about honesty."
Usage: As a verb, lesson means to make something less severe or important by reducing its intensity, not to teach someone. You should use teach if you intend to instruct someone in a subject or skill.
The word "lesson" comes from the Latin lectio, meaning "a reading," which entered English via Old French and Middle English. Although it originally referred specifically to a passage being read aloud, its meaning has since broadened in modern usage.