v.
Pronunciation: ' pr ē ch
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English prechen, from Anglo-French precher, from Late Latin praedicare, from Latin, to proclaim, make known, from prae- pre- + dicare to proclaim ― more at DICTION
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1 : to deliver a sermon
2 : to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action specifically : to exhort in an officious or tiresome manner
transitive verb
1 : to set forth in a sermon < preach the gospel>
2 : to advocate earnestly < preach ed revolution>
3 : to deliver (as a sermon) publicly
4 : to bring, put, or affect by preaching < preach ed the ⋯ church out of debt ― American Guide Series: Va. >
– preach · er noun
– preach · ing · ly \ ' pr ē -chi ŋ -l ē \ adverb