discipline

[dis-uh-plin]

noun

1. training to act in accordance with rules; drill.

   military discipline.

2. an activity, exercise, or regimen that develops or improves a skill; training.

   Sticking to specific and regular mealtimes is excellent discipline for many dieters.

3. a branch of instruction or learning.

   the disciplines of history and economics.

4. punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.

   Synonyms: castigation, chastisement

5. the rigor or training effect of experience, adversity, etc..

   the harsh discipline of poverty.

6. behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control.

   good discipline in an army.

7. a set or system of rules and regulations.

8. Ecclesiastical.,  the system of government regulating the practice of a church as distinguished from its doctrine.

9. an instrument of punishment, especially a whip or scourge, used in the practice of self-mortification or as an instrument of chastisement in certain religious communities.

verb (used with object)

disciplined, disciplining 

1. to train by instruction and exercise; drill.

2. to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.

3. to punish or penalize in order to train and control; correct; chastise.

discipline

/ ˈdɪsɪˌplɪnəl, ˈdɪsɪplɪn, ˌdɪsɪˈplaɪnəl /

noun

1. training or conditions imposed for the improvement of physical powers, self-control, etc

2. systematic training in obedience to regulations and authority

3. the state of improved behaviour, etc, resulting from such training or conditions

4. punishment or chastisement

5. a system of rules for behaviour, methods of practice, etc

6. a branch of learning or instruction

7. the laws governing members of a Church

8. a scourge of knotted cords

verb

1. to improve or attempt to improve the behaviour, orderliness, etc, of by training, conditions, or rules

2. to punish or correct

Other Word Forms

• disciplinal adjective
• discipliner noun
• disciplinable adjective
• multidiscipline noun
• nondisciplining adjective
• overdiscipline verb
• prediscipline noun
• rediscipline verb (used with object)
• subdiscipline noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of discipline¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin disciplīna “instruction, tuition,” equivalent to discipul(us) “pupil, learner, trainee” + -ina noun suffix; disciple; -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of discipline¹

C13: from Latin disciplīna teaching, from discipulus _disciple

Synonym Study

See punish.

Example Sentences

The Commission on Judicial Performance, the state agency responsible for probing complaints of judicial misconduct and incapacity as well as disciplining judges, issued its findings in August.

From Los Angeles Times

But recruiting slowed, discipline slipped and the program hit a wall.

From Los Angeles Times

"The company constantly breaks agreements, arrangements, and procedures – and it's been brought to a head by the misuse of the grievance and discipline process," he said.

From BBC

New York magazine described him as "notoriously disciplined" and "dedicated to a self-control and self-containedness that can come off as coolness".

From BBC

"It helps you build a character. When you get into film you don't have that luxury. The discipline of theatre is what I recommend to all actors."

From BBC

Related Words

• control 
• development 
• education 
• method 
• practice 
• preparation 
• regulation 
• restraint 
• self-control 
• self-restraint 
• will