Discipline Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on September 26, 2025
Discipline means a training to act according to rules; control gained by enforcing obedience or order. e.g., Discipline is essential for an effective team.

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Discipline Definitions
Training that corrects, molds, or perfects mental faculties or moral character.
The school's discipline focuses on respect and responsibility.
A branch of knowledge or learning.
Biology is a discipline within the natural sciences.
A system of rules governing conduct or activity.
Military discipline is strict and emphasizes hierarchy and order.
Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement
Was raised in the strictest discipline.
Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order
Military discipline.
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Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control
Dieting takes a lot of discipline.
A state of order based on submission to rules and authority
A teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom.
Punishment intended to correct or train
Subjected to harsh discipline.
A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order.
A branch of knowledge or teaching
The discipline of mathematics.
To train by instruction and practice, as in following rules or developing self-control
The sergeant disciplined the recruits to become soldiers.
To punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience.
To impose order on
Needed to discipline their study habits.
A controlled behaviour; self-control.
An enforced compliance or control.
A systematic method of obtaining obedience.
A state of order based on submission to authority.
A set of rules regulating behaviour.
A punishment to train or maintain control.
A specific branch of knowledge or learning.
A category in which a certain art, sport or other activity belongs.
(transitive) To train someone by instruction and practice.
(transitive) To teach someone to obey authority.
(transitive) To punish someone in order to (re)gain control.
(transitive) To impose order on someone.
The treatment suited to a disciple or learner; education; development of the faculties by instruction and exercise; training, whether physical, mental, or moral.
Wife and children are a kind of discipline of humanity.
Discipline aims at the removal of bad habits and the substitution of good ones, especially those of order, regularity, and obedience.
Training to act in accordance with established rules; accustoming to systematic and regular action; drill.
Their wildness lose, and, quitting nature's part,Obey the rules and discipline of art.
Subjection to rule; submissiveness to order and control; habit of obedience.
The most perfect, who have their passions in the best discipline, are yet obliged to be constantly on their guard.
Severe training, corrective of faults; instruction by means of misfortune, suffering, punishment, etc.
A sharp discipline of half a century had sufficed to educate us.
Correction; chastisement; punishment inflicted by way of correction and training.
Giving her the discipline of the strap.
The subject matter of instruction; a branch of knowledge.
The enforcement of methods of correction against one guilty of ecclesiastical offenses; reformatory or penal action toward a church member.
Self-inflicted and voluntary corporal punishment, as penance, or otherwise; specifically, a penitential scourge.
A system of essential rules and duties; as, the Romish or Anglican discipline.
To educate; to develop by instruction and exercise; to train.
To accustom to regular and systematic action; to bring under control so as to act systematically; to train to act together under orders; to teach subordination to; to form a habit of obedience in; to drill.
Ill armed, and worse disciplined.
His mind . . . imperfectly disciplined by nature.
To improve by corrective and penal methods; to chastise; to correct.
Has he disciplined Aufidius soundly?
To inflict ecclesiastical censures and penalties upon.
A branch of knowledge;
In what discipline is his doctorate?
Teachers should be well trained in their subject
Anthropology is the study of human beings
A system of rules of conduct or method of practice;
He quickly learned the discipline of prison routine
For such a plan to work requires discipline
The trait of being well behaved;
He insisted on discipline among the troops
Training to improve strength or self-control
The act of punishing;
The offenders deserved the harsh discipline they received
Train by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control;
Parents must discipline their children
Is this dog trained?
Punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience;
The teacher disciplined the pupils rather frequently
Control gained by enforcing obedience or order.
The teacher maintains discipline in the classroom through clear rules.
Behavior in accord with rules of conduct; behavior and order maintained by training and control.
Good discipline is crucial for any sports team.
Treatment that corrects or punishes.
The company's policy outlines discipline for unprofessional behavior.
Self-control or self-restraint.
It takes a lot of discipline to save money instead of spending it immediately.
An activity, exercise, or regimen that develops or improves a skill.
Daily writing is a discipline that can improve your skills over time.
The rigor or training effect of experience, adversity, etc..
Life's challenges taught him discipline through tough lessons.
Discipline Snonyms
Control
The power to influence or direct people's behavior.
She has remarkable control over her emotions.
Regulation
A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
Health and safety regulations are strictly enforced.
Structure
The arrangement of and relations between the parts or elements of something complex.
The structure of the course made learning easy.
Training
The action of teaching a person or animal a particular skill or type of behavior.
The puppy's training is going well.
Restriction
A limiting condition or measure, especially a legal one.
Restrictions on water use were imposed during the drought.
Management
The process of dealing with or controlling things or people.
Good management is key to the success of any project.
Order
The arrangement or disposition of people or things in relation to each other.
The library books were in perfect order.
Self-control
The ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires.
Practicing self-control helps him manage his temper.
Conformity
Compliance with standards, rules, or laws.
Uniforms ensure conformity in appearance within the school.
Guidance
Advice or information aimed at resolving a problem or difficulty.
Her mentor provided invaluable guidance throughout her career.
Discipline Example Sentences
Discipline in the classroom creates a better learning environment.
The discipline for breaking the rules was a week's suspension.
Discipline is key to achieving long-term goals.
The team's discipline was evident in their synchronized movements.
The new diet required a lot of discipline to follow.
The discipline of daily exercise has improved my health.
Military discipline teaches respect and punctuality.
Writing every day is a good discipline for aspiring authors.
Self-discipline is necessary for success in any field.
He instills discipline in his children through consistent routines.
The discipline of saving money requires both patience and strategy.
The coach's discipline led the team to a championship.
Her discipline in studying contributed to her academic success.
The organization's discipline ensures efficiency and productivity.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide discipline into syllables?
Discipline is divided into syllables as dis-ci-pline.
How is discipline used in a sentence?
Discipline is used to refer to the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of conduct, e.g., Effective discipline is not about punishment but about teaching.
Why is it called discipline?
It's called discipline because it involves training people to follow rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
What is the root word of discipline?
The root word of discipline is "disciplina" in Latin, meaning instruction or knowledge.
How many syllables are in discipline?
There are three syllables in discipline.
What part of speech is discipline?
Discipline is both a noun (when referring to the practice or method of training) and a verb (when referring to the action of training or punishing).
What is a stressed syllable in discipline?
The stressed syllable in discipline is the first syllable, "dis".
What is the verb form of discipline?
The verb form of discipline is discipline (present), disciplined (past simple), and disciplined (past participle).
What is the first form of discipline?
The first form of discipline is discipline.
What is the second form of discipline?
The second form of discipline is disciplined.
What is the third form of discipline?
The third form of discipline is disciplined.
What is another term for discipline?
Another term for discipline is self-control or regulation.
Is discipline an abstract noun?
Yes, when referring to the concept of training or control, discipline is an abstract noun.
Is discipline a countable noun?
When referring to a field of study, discipline is a countable noun (e.g., many disciplines).
Is the discipline term a metaphor?
The term discipline can be used metaphorically to represent strict control or training in various contexts.
What is the pronunciation of discipline?
Discipline is pronounced as /ˈdɪs.ɪ.plɪn/.
What is the singular form of discipline?
The singular form of discipline is discipline.
What is the opposite of discipline?
The opposite of discipline could be disorder or indiscipline.
Is discipline an adverb?
No, discipline is not an adverb.
What is the plural form of discipline?
The plural form of discipline is disciplines, referring to multiple fields of study or systems of training.
Is discipline a negative or positive word?
Discipline can be seen as positive, emphasizing structured training and self-control, but it may have negative connotations if associated with harsh punishment.
Is discipline a vowel or consonant?
The word discipline starts with a consonant.
Is discipline a collective noun?
No, discipline is not typically used as a collective noun.
Is the word “discipline” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, discipline can be a direct object, e.g., "The teacher imposes discipline."
Which preposition is used with discipline?
Prepositions used with discipline can vary, such as "in" (in discipline) or "of" (discipline of studying).
Is the word discipline imperative?
Discipline can be used in an imperative form when commanding someone to enforce control or training.
Which determiner is used with discipline?
Determiners like "the," "a," and "no" can be used with discipline depending on the sentence, e.g., "The discipline of martial arts."
Is discipline a noun or adjective?
Discipline is primarily a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
Is the word discipline Gerund?
No, discipline itself is not a Gerund; disciplining would be the Gerund form.
Which vowel is used before discipline?
The use of a vowel before discipline depends on the article or adjective preceding it, e.g., "an effective discipline."
Which conjunction is used with discipline?
Conjunctions like "and," "but," or "or" can be used with discipline depending on the sentence structure.
Which article is used with discipline?
The definite article "the" or indefinite "a" can be used with discipline depending on the context.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
























