intransitive verb

1. to speak in public on religious matters; give a sermon
2. to give moral or religious advice, esp. in a tiresome manner

Etymology: ME prechen < OFr precher < LL(Ec) praedicare, to preach the gospel < L, to declare in public, admonish < prae-, pre- + dicare, to proclaim, akin to dicere, to say: see diction

transitive verb

1. to expound or proclaim by preaching
2. to advocate by or as by preaching; urge strongly or persistently
3. to deliver (a sermon)