discipline

en
en
Change language
Translating...
Find language
Español
Spanish
Français
French
Deutsch
German
Português
Portuguese
Русский
Russian
/ˈdɪsəplɪn/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
Self-control and training, rule-based correction, an academic field, and the act of training or correcting behavior.
Practice using discipline in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • She had to discipline herself to write every morning.
  • Daily practice helped him build discipline.
  • The practice helped discipline his mind.
  • Medicine is both a profession and a scientific discipline.
  • He learned to discipline his anger.

Similar words

focus
control
restraint
regulation
train
regulate
order
authority
order
coach

Meanings

Self-control and training

noun
everyday
neutral
The ability or practice of controlling behavior, effort, and habits so that a goal or standard can be reached.

Examples

  • It takes discipline to save money every month.
  • Daily practice helped him build discipline.
  • She has the discipline to train before work.
  • The course teaches focus, patience, and discipline.
  • Without discipline, talent is often wasted.
  • Meditation gave him a stronger sense of discipline.

Similar words

self-control
willpower
restraint
training
order
focus
control
practice

Rules and correction

noun
everyday
neutral
A system of rules, control, or correction used to make people behave in an accepted or orderly way.

Examples

  • The school has a clear discipline policy.
  • Good discipline in the classroom helps everyone learn.
  • Parents disagreed about the best form of discipline.
  • The coach demanded strict discipline from the team.
  • Military discipline shaped their daily routine.
  • The manager tried to restore discipline after weeks of confusion.

Similar words

control
order
regulation
correction
training
authority
supervision

Field of study

noun
technical
neutral
A branch of knowledge, learning, or professional practice, such as history, physics, law, or design.

Examples

  • Sociology is a social science discipline.
  • The conference brought together scholars from several disciplines.
  • Medicine is both a profession and a scientific discipline.
  • Each discipline has its own research methods.
  • She moved from engineering into the discipline of design.
  • The project crosses traditional academic disciplines.

Similar words

field
subject
area
branch
specialism
domain
profession

Train or correct behavior

verb
everyday
neutral
To train someone or oneself to behave in a controlled way, or to correct someone for breaking rules.

Examples

  • She had to discipline herself to write every morning.
  • The school may discipline students who break the rules.
  • He learned to discipline his anger.
  • The army disciplines recruits through routine and training.
  • Managers should discipline staff fairly and consistently.
  • The practice helped discipline his mind.

Similar words

train
correct
control
regulate
coach
educate
restrain

Etymology

From Old French discipline, from Latin disciplina, meaning teaching, learning, training, or instruction, from discipulus, student or learner. The word first centered on learning and training, then broadened to order, correction, self-control, and fields of study.

FAQ

What does discipline mean?

Discipline can mean self-control, training, rule-based correction, or a field of study.

Is discipline the same as punishment?

No. Punishment is only one possible form of correction. Discipline can also mean guidance, training, and self-control.

What is self-discipline?

Self-discipline is the ability to control habits, effort, and behavior in order to reach a goal.

What is an academic discipline?

An academic discipline is a field of study, such as history, physics, law, or sociology.

Can discipline be a verb?

Yes. To discipline someone means to train or correct behavior. To discipline yourself means to control your own behavior.

What is the adjective form of discipline?

The common adjective is disciplined, meaning controlled, trained, or orderly.

What is the difference between discipline and disciplinary?

Discipline is the noun or verb. Disciplinary is an adjective often used for rules, punishment, or academic fields.

Is discipline positive or negative?

It depends on context. Self-control and training are usually positive, while correction can sound stricter.

Comments & contributions

Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
Posting as a guest · Sign in
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.
Look up word or phrase...