Discipline
/ˈdɪsɪplɪn/
Definitions
3 meaningsTraining or control gained by requiring obedience or order; a system of rules of conduct.
/ˈdɪsɪplɪn/
The practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
The athlete's success was due to their rigorous self-discipline.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're teaching a puppy new tricks. Discipline is the training and rules you use to help it learn and behave well. It's about teaching yourself or others to follow the rules!
👶 For kids: Discipline is when you learn to follow rules and do what you're supposed to do.
More Examples
The teacher struggled to maintain discipline in the classroom.
The army's discipline was essential for their victories.
How It's Used
"The school has a strict policy on discipline."
"Military discipline is essential for success in combat."
"Effective parenting involves teaching children discipline."
A field of study or branch of knowledge.
/ˈdɪsɪplɪn/
A specific branch of knowledge or a field of study.
He is an expert in the discipline of physics.
💡 Simply: Think about all the different subjects you can study in school - like science, math, or history. Those are all different disciplines!
👶 For kids: A discipline is a kind of learning, like science or math.
More Examples
The university offers courses across many different disciplines.
Interdisciplinary research involves collaboration between different disciplines.
How It's Used
"She's a professor in the discipline of history."
"This research crosses several disciplines."
To train or control someone or something; to punish.
/ˈdɪsɪplɪn/
To train someone to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
The coach disciplined the team for their poor performance.
💡 Simply: Imagine your dog is jumping on people. To *discipline* the dog means you're teaching it not to jump by correcting its behavior. It's about guiding behavior.
👶 For kids: To discipline someone means to teach them how to behave by making them follow rules.
More Examples
She disciplined herself to wake up early every day.
The government is determined to discipline any officials found to be corrupt.
How It's Used
"The teacher disciplined the disruptive student."
"Parents must discipline their children when they misbehave."
"She disciplined herself to exercise daily."
Idioms & expressions
self-discipline
The ability to control oneself, especially in terms of one's desires or impulses; restraining one's emotions and desires.
"He showed great self-discipline in sticking to his diet."
From Latin *disciplina* ("instruction, training") and *discipulus* ("pupil, student"). It entered English in the 13th century, initially with connotations of instruction or teaching.
Used since the 13th century, the word initially emphasized instruction and the training of the mind, later evolving to include concepts of order and control, especially through punishment or enforcement.
Memory tip
Think of the *discipline* in a military training program.