1 : to make a speech about religion in a church or other public place : to deliver a sermon [no obj] ▪ Have you ever heard that minister preach? ▪ The minister preached to the congregation about/on the need for tolerance. [+ obj] ▪ His followers listened to him preach the gospel. ▪ The priest preached a regular sermon that Sunday. 2 : to write or speak about (something) in an approving way : to say that (something) is good or necessary [+ obj] ▪ Some people have begun to complain about the project delays, but the mayor continues to preach patience. [=to say that people should be patient] ▪ Although he once preached revolution [=said that there should be a revolution], he now claims to be a man of peace. ▪ Their mother has always preached the value/virtues of a good education. ▪ Practice what you preach—don't smoke if you tell your children not to smoke. [no obj] ▪ The mayor continues to preach about the need for patience. 3 [no obj] : to write or speak in an annoying way about the right way to behave
▪ It's important to give teenagers helpful advice without preaching (to/at them). ▪ I don't like being preached at/to about how I should live my life.
▪ It's important to give teenagers helpful advice without preaching (to/at them). ▪ I don't like being preached at/to about how I should live my life.
preach to the choir (chiefly US) or preach to the converted
: to speak for or against something to people who already agree with your opinions
▪ The speeches he makes to his supporters won't win him any more votes. He's just preaching to the choir.
▪ The speeches he makes to his supporters won't win him any more votes. He's just preaching to the choir.





