noun
Common
doctrine
DOK-trihn
Doctrine (noun) means a set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religion, philosophy, or organization. Example: “Students of the faith spend years studying its core doctrine.”
noun
1
A set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religion, philosophy, or organization.
"Students of the faith spend years studying its core doctrine."
"The church's doctrine has changed little over the centuries."
"Communist doctrine shaped policy across the region."
2
A stated policy guiding a country's official conduct, especially in foreign affairs.
"The new doctrine said the country would not take sides in distant disputes."
"Analysts argued about how the government's doctrine would affect relations with its neighbours."
"The president outlined a new foreign policy doctrine."
How to use doctrine
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal set of teachings or a guiding policy, especially in religion, ideology, or government.
Common pairings
religious doctrine
foreign policy doctrine
official doctrine
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Word forms
- Plural
- doctrines
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Students of the faith spend years studying its core _____.
Etymology
From Latin doctrina, "teaching," from docere, "to teach" — the same root as "doctor."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for doctrine
See all rhymes for doctrine →Frequently asked questions
What does “doctrine” mean?
The word “doctrine” means a set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religion, philosophy, or organization. In plain terms, a formal set of teachings or a guiding policy, especially in religion, ideology, or government.
How do you pronounce “doctrine”?
“Doctrine” is pronounced DOK-trihn (/ˈdɑk.tɹɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “doctrine” in a sentence?
Here is “doctrine” used in a sentence: “The church's doctrine has changed little over the centuries.”
What part of speech is “doctrine”?
“Doctrine” is a noun.
Where does the word “doctrine” come from?
The word “doctrine” comes from Latin. From Latin doctrina, "teaching," from docere, "to teach" — the same root as "doctor.".
Is “doctrine” a common word?
“Doctrine” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “doctrine” have?
“Doctrine” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religion, philosophy, or organization.
What is the difference between doctrine and dogma?
A doctrine is a set of beliefs or principles held and taught by a religion, philosophy, or organization. Dogma is doctrine laid down by an authority as unquestionably true, so calling something dogma often implies rigidity, while doctrine is the more neutral term.
Is doctrine only a religious word?
No. Besides religious teaching, doctrine covers legal principles, as in the doctrine of precedent, as well as military thinking and official policy. A stated policy guiding a country's conduct in foreign affairs is also called a doctrine.
What is a doctrine in foreign policy?
In foreign affairs, a doctrine is a stated policy that guides a country's official conduct, often announced by a national leader and later referred to by that leader's name. It signals in advance how the country intends to respond to particular situations.
What is the difference between doctrine and policy?
A policy is a practical course of action adopted to achieve specific goals, and it can change readily. A doctrine is the deeper set of principles that policies are meant to follow, so doctrines tend to be broader and longer lasting.
