Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Lecture \Lec"ture\ (-t[-u]r; 135), n. [F. lecture, LL. lectura,
   fr. L. legere, lectum, to read. See {Legend}.]
   1. The act of reading; as, the lecture of Holy Scripture.
      [Obs.]

   2. A discourse on any subject; especially, a formal or
      methodical discourse, intended for instruction; sometimes,
      a familiar discourse, in contrast with a sermon.

   3. A reprimand or formal reproof from one having authority.

   4. (Eng. Universities) A rehearsal of a lesson.

Lecture \Lec"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Lectured} (-t[-u]rd);
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Lecturing}.]
   1. To read or deliver a lecture to.

   2. To reprove formally and with authority.

Lecture \Lec"ture\, v. i.
   To deliver a lecture or lectures.

Source : WordNet®

lecture
     n 1: a speech that is open to the public; "he attended a lecture
          on telecommunications" [syn: {public lecture}, {talk}]
     2: a lengthy rebuke; "a good lecture was my father's idea of
        discipline"; "the teacher gave him a talking to" [syn: {speech},
         {talking to}]
     3: teaching by giving a discourse on some subject (typically to
        a class) [syn: {lecturing}]

lecture
     v 1: deliver a lecture or talk; "She will talk at Rutgers next
          week"; "Did you ever lecture at Harvard?" [syn: {talk}]
     2: censure severely or angrily; "The mother scolded the child
        for entering a stranger's car"; "The deputy ragged the
        Prime Minister"; "The customer dressed down the waiter for
        bringing cold soup" [syn: {call on the carpet}, {rebuke},
        {rag}, {trounce}, {reproof}, {reprimand}, {jaw}, {dress
        down}, {call down}, {scold}, {chide}, {berate}, {bawl out},
         {remonstrate}, {chew out}, {chew up}, {have words}, {lambaste},
         {lambast}]