lezione

Lezione is an Italian noun that denotes a unit of instruction or a formal talk given to an audience. In educational settings, una lezione refers to a teaching session during which a teacher presents material, explains concepts, and guides students through exercises. The term also designates the content of that session, as in la lezione di matematica di oggi. In universities, courses are typically composed of multiple lezioni, which may be delivered in different formats.

Etymology and sense development: Lezione comes from Latin lectio, from legere “to read.” The original sense was “a reading or selection,” and the meaning expanded to include a formal teaching or lecture delivered to learners. Over time, it acquired the broader Italian usages of both a scheduled class and the subject matter covered.

Usage and contexts: The phrase lezione frontale refers to a traditional, teacher-centered lecture. Variants such as lezione seminariale or lezione interattiva describe more discussion-oriented or collaborative formats. Private or supplementary instruction is called lezione privata or lezione individuale. In everyday language, lezione can also refer to a moral or experiential takeaway, as in imparare una lezione or è stata una dura lezione, meaning “it was a hard lesson learned.”

See also: Lezione frontale, Conferenza, Scuola, Istruzione.