Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense disciplines, present participle disciplining, past tense, past participle disciplined
1. uncountable noun
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.
Order and discipline have been placed in the hands of headmasters and governing bodies.
...discipline problems in the classroom.
Synonyms: punishment, penalty, correction, chastening More Synonyms of discipline
2. uncountable noun
Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.
It was that image of calm and discipline that appealed to voters.
Synonyms: self-control, control, restraint, self-discipline More Synonyms of discipline
3. variable noun
If you refer to an activity or situation as a discipline, you mean that, in order to be successful in it, you need to behave in a strictly controlled way and obey particular rules or standards.
...inner disciplines like transcendental meditation.
The discipline of studying music can help children develop good work habits.
Synonyms: training, practice, exercise, method More Synonyms of discipline
4. verb
If someone is disciplined for something that they have done wrong, they are punished for it.
The workman was disciplined by his company but not dismissed. [beVERB-ed]
Her husband had at last taken a share in disciplining the boy. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: punish, correct, reprimand, castigate More Synonyms of discipline
5. verb
If you disciplineyourself to do something, you train yourself to behave and work in a strictly controlled andregular way.
Out on the course you must discipline yourself to let go of detailed theory. [VERB pronoun-reflexive to-infinitive]
I'm very good at disciplining myself. [VERB pronoun-reflexive]
Synonyms: train, control, govern, check More Synonyms of discipline
6. countable noun
A discipline is a particular area of study, especially a subject of study in a college or university.
[formal]
You've got to make sure that people work together across disciplines.
We're looking for people from a wide range of disciplines.
7. See also self-discipline
More Synonyms of discipline
discipline in British English
(ˈdɪsɪplɪn)
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(transitive)
9.
to improve or attempt to improve the behaviour, orderliness, etc, of by training, conditions, or rules
10.
to punish or correct
Derived forms
disciplinable (ˈdisciˌplinable)
adjective
disciplinal (ˌdɪsɪˈplaɪnəl, ˈdɪsɪˌplɪnəl)
adjective
discipliner (ˈdisciˌpliner)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Latin disciplīna teaching, from discipulusdisciple
discipline in American English
(ˈdɪsəˌplɪn; ˈdɪsəplən)
noun
1.
a branch of knowledge or learning
2.
a.
training that develops self-control, character, or orderliness and efficiency
b.
strict control to enforce obedience
3.
the result of such training or control
; specif.,
a.
self-control or orderly conduct
b.
acceptance of or submission to authority and control
4.
a system of rules, as for a church or monastic order
5.
treatment that corrects or punishes
verb transitiveWord forms: ˈdisciˌplined or ˈdisciˌplining
6.
to subject to discipline; train; control
7.
to punish
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈpunish
Derived forms
disciplinable (ˈdisciˌplinable)
adjective
disciplinal (ˈdisciˌplinal)
adjective
discipliner (ˈdisciˌpliner)
noun
Word origin
ME < OFr descepline < L disciplina < discipulus: see disciple
COBUILD Collocations
discipline
academic discipline
enforce discipline
fiscal discipline
ill discipline
impose discipline
instil discipline
iron discipline
lack discipline
practice discipline
require discipline
strict discipline
tactical discipline
Examples of 'discipline' in a sentence
discipline
We need the brightest and best people across all disciplines to stay ahead.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He was subsequently disciplined for this behaviour and issued with a written warning.
Computing (2010)
They are taught by practising artists in a range of disciplines.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Do you think their discipline let them down?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The other lesson of the game was the need for discipline.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Almost certainly, you disagree with the way he disciplines them and behaves around them.
The Sun (2016)
Truly powerful AI will require all disciplines working together.
Smithsonian Mag (2017)
His discipline is good, only six yellow cards in his past 100 games.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His preferred pedalling environment is instead similar to the one we're in now - an environment suited to his particular discipline.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Saturn in your sign makes you disciplined and determined, and you'll go the extra mile to complete a task in style.
The Sun (2016)
We need to teach them some discipline and help them to establish a regular lifestyle.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The team she led brought in people from across disciplines and organisations.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
We need to make sure we are disciplined going into the game.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
What he does feel very strongly is that church discipline is not something to be dodged.
Christianity Today (2000)
You need discipline and a strong work ethic.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Lots of studies focus on physical discipline but harsh verbal discipline is a serious problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Tour discipline is another area that is well practised and thought out.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You have to be really disciplined in the way you think.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You must also be disciplined and set yourself goals.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We have a good record for discipline.
The Sun (2011)
Ministers need to focus on behaviour and discipline.
The Sun (2007)
There is scope within prison discipline regulations to let the governor deal with them internally.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We have had to learn from them and we have improved our discipline off the field.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Older school staff tended to be good at classroom organisation and discipline.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There has to be a strong discipline in the training and in general.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The capitalists relied on two principal means of cultural discipline and social control.
Hunt, E. K. Property and Prophets: The Evolution of Economic Institutions and Ideologies (1995)
This allows them to delay specialising for one or two years while they study a range of disciplines.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Users of the internet may be prepared to allow only one winner to emerge in any particular internet discipline.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Most of our masters had recently returned from wartime service and had entrenched ideas of obedience and personal discipline and their retribution was swift and painful.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Quotations
Spare the rod and spoil the child
In other languages
discipline
British English: discipline /ˈdɪsɪplɪn/ NOUN
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.
...poor discipline in schools.
American English: discipline
Arabic: تَأْدِيب
Brazilian Portuguese: disciplina
Chinese: 纪律
Croatian: disciplina
Czech: disciplína
Danish: disciplin
Dutch: discipline
European Spanish: disciplina
Finnish: kuri
French: discipline
German: Disziplin
Greek: πειθαρχία
Italian: disciplina
Japanese: 規律
Korean: 규율
Norwegian: disiplin
Polish: dyscyplina
European Portuguese: disciplina
Romanian: disciplină
Russian: поддержание порядка
Latin American Spanish: disciplina
Swedish: disciplin
Thai: ข้อบังคับ
Turkish: disiplin
Ukrainian: дисципліна
Vietnamese: kỷ luật
British English: discipline VERB
If someone is disciplined for something that they have done wrong, they are punished for it.
The workman was disciplined by his company but not dismissed.
American English: discipline
Brazilian Portuguese: disciplinar
Chinese: 处罚
European Spanish: disciplinar
French: punir
German: bestrafen
Italian: sanzionare
Japanese: 懲戒する
Korean: 징계를 받다
European Portuguese: disciplinar
Latin American Spanish: disciplinar
All related terms of 'discipline'
ill discipline
Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.
iron discipline
Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.
lack discipline
Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards .
self-discipline
Self-discipline is the ability to control yourself and to make yourself work hard or behave in a particular way without needing anyone else to tell you what to do.
enforce discipline
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.
fiscal discipline
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.
impose discipline
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.
instil discipline
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.
require discipline
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour, and punishing them when they do not.
strict discipline
Discipline is the practice of making people obey rules or standards of behaviour , and punishing them when they do not.
academic discipline
A discipline is a particular area of study, especially a subject of study in a college or university.
practice discipline
If you refer to an activity or situation as a discipline , you mean that, in order to be successful in it, you need to behave in a strictly controlled way and obey particular rules or standards.
tactical discipline
Discipline is the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.
prefect of discipline
a senior master in a Jesuit school or college
Chinese translation of 'discipline'
discipline
(ˈdɪsɪplɪn)
n
(u)[of children, pupils]纪(紀)律 (jìlǜ)
(u) (= self-control) 约(約)束 (yuēshù)
(c) (= branch of knowledge) 学(學)科 (xuékē) (门(門), mén)
vt
(= train)
to discipline o.s. (to do sth)训(訓)练(練)自己(做某事) (xùnliàn zìjǐ (zuò mǒushì))
(= punish) 惩(懲)处(處) (chéngchǔ)
1 (noun)
Definition
the practice of imposing strict rules of behaviour on other people
the need for strict discipline in military units
Synonyms
control
The first aim of his government would be to establish control over the republic's territory.
rule
the winding-up of British rule over the territory
authority
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
direction
The house was built under the direction of his partner.
regulation
They also have responsibility for the regulation of nurseries.
supervision
First-time licence holders have to work under supervision.
orderliness
strictness
2 (noun)
Order and discipline have been placed in the hands of headteachers.
Synonyms
punishment
The man is guilty and he deserves punishment.
penalty
The maximum penalty is 7 years' imprisonment.
correction
jails and other places of correction
chastening
chastisement
punitive measures
castigation
Helen's merciless castigation of her staff in public
3 (noun)
Definition
the ability to behave and work in a controlled manner
His image of calm, control and discipline that appealed to voters.
Synonyms
self-control
I began to wish I'd shown more self-control.
control
He had a terrible temper, and sometimes lost control completely.
restraint
They behaved with more restraint than I'd expected.
self-discipline
Exercising at home requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline.
coolness
They praised him for his coolness under pressure.
cool (slang)
She kept her cool and managed to get herself out of the situation.
willpower
She doesn't have the willpower to give up smoking.
calmness
She faced her ordeal with admirable calmness.
self-restraint
We've been exercising self-restraint in our resistance to occupation.
orderliness
self-mastery
strength of mind or will
4 (noun)
inner disciplines like transcendental meditation
Synonyms
training
He had no formal training as a decorator.
She will soon be back in training for next year.
practice
netball practice
exercise
Lack of exercise can lead to feelings of depression and exhaustion.
method
new teaching methods
regulation
drill
A local army base teaches them military drill.
regimen
5 (noun)
Definition
a particular area of academic study
appropriate topics for the new discipline of political science
Synonyms
field of study
area
subject
a tutor in maths and science subjects
theme
The novel's central theme is obsession.
topic
They offer tips on topics such as home safety.
course
curriculum
speciality
His speciality was the history of Germany.
subject matter
branch of knowledge
field of inquiry or reference
1 (verb)
Definition
to punish
He was disciplined by his company, but not dismissed.
Synonyms
punish
George has never had to punish the children.
correct
He gently corrected me for using the wrong word.
reprimand
He was reprimanded by a teacher.
castigate
She castigated him for having no intellectual interests.
chastise
I did not chastise the child for what she had done.
chasten
penalize
Players who break the rules will be penalized.
bring to book
reprove
Women were reproved if they did not wear hats.
2 (verb)
Definition
to improve or attempt to improve the behaviour of (oneself or someone else) by training or rules
I'm very good at disciplining myself.
Synonyms
train
We train them in bricklaying and other building techniques.
control
Try to control that temper of yours.
govern
Try to govern your temper.
check
Today's meeting must focus on checking the spread of violence.
educate
She was educated at a local school.
regulate
a powerful body to regulate the stock market
instruct
He instructs family members in nursing techniques.
restrain
He grabbed my arm, partly to restrain me.
proverb
Spare the rod and spoil the child
Additional synonyms
in the sense of authority
Definition
the power to command, control, or judge others
The judge has no authority to order a second trial.
Synonyms
prerogative,
right,
influence,
might,
force,
power,
control,
charge,
rule,
government,
weight,
strength,
direction,
command,
licence,
privilege,
warrant,
say-so,
sway,
domination,
jurisdiction,
supremacy,
dominion,
ascendancy,
mana (New Zealand)
in the sense of calmness
She faced her ordeal with admirable calmness.
Synonyms
coolness,
cool (slang),
composure,
poise,
equanimity,
sang-froid,
self-possession,
dispassion,
impassivity,
imperturbability
in the sense of castigate
Definition
to find fault with or reprimand (a person) harshly
She castigated him for having no intellectual interests.