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Added 8 October 2026

discipline

/ˈdɪsɪplɪn/ noun

In Latin: disciplina Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about discipline at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A branch of knowledge.
in what discipline is his doctorate?
A system of rules of conduct or method of practice.
he quickly learned the discipline of prison routine
The trait of being well behaved.
he insisted on discipline among the troops

verb

Develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control.
Parents must discipline their children
Punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience.
The teacher disciplined the pupils rather frequently

Origin

From Middle English [Term?], from Anglo-Norman, from Old French descipline, from Latin disciplina (“instruction”), from discipulus (“pupil”), influenced by disco (“to learn”), from Proto-Indo-European *dek- (“(cause to) accept”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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