noun
discipline
DIH-sihp-lihn
noun
1
The practice of training yourself or others to follow rules and control behaviour.
"It takes real discipline to get up at 5am and train every day."
"The coach was known for his strict discipline on the field."
2
A particular branch of knowledge or study.
"Psychology is a discipline that overlaps with biology and philosophy."
verb
1
To train someone to behave in a controlled way, or to punish them for breaking rules.
"The manager had to discipline an employee for repeated lateness."
"Good parents discipline their children with consistency, not anger."
How to Use Discipline
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the self-control/training needed to follow rules, a field of study, or the act of correcting bad behaviour.
Memory tip
If someone "has discipline," they control themselves well; if someone "disciplines" you, they are correcting or punishing you.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
self-discipline
strict discipline
discipline a child
academic discipline
Word Forms
disciplined past tense, disciplines plural, disciplines singular
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It takes real _____ to get up at 5am and train every day.
Etymology
From Latin disciplina, "instruction," related to discipulus ("pupil") and discere ("to learn").