What does "discipline" mean?

1. (self-control) the ability to control your own behavior and work hard without needing others to tell you what to do. 2. (rules and order) a system of rules used to keep order in a group, like a school or the army. 3. (academic subject) a particular area of study, especially at a university. 4. (to punish or correct) to punish someone for breaking rules so they learn to behave better in the future. 5. (to train oneself) to train yourself to do something in a controlled and regular way.

How do you use "discipline"?

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to a personal quality. Commonly used with verbs like 'maintain', 'enforce', or 'impose'. Countable in this sense. Transitive verb; always requires an object.

discipline

n. · v.

US //ˈdɪsəpɫən// UK //dˈɪsɪplˌɪn// dis·ci·pline

1 self-control (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the ability to control your own behavior and work hard without needing others to tell you what to do.

the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.

Example

It takes a lot of discipline to get up at 5:00 AM every day to exercise.

Example

Maintaining the discipline required for professional-level athletic training demands significant mental fortitude and a strict adherence to nutritional guidelines.

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to a personal quality.
- self control
- willpower
- restraint
- indulgence
- laziness
2 rules and order (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a system of rules used to keep order in a group, like a school or the army.

the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, often using punishment to correct disobedience.

Example

The teacher struggled to maintain discipline in the noisy classroom.

Example

The military relies on strict discipline to ensure that commands are followed instantly and accurately during high-pressure operations.

Usage

Commonly used with verbs like 'maintain', 'enforce', or 'impose'.
- chaos
- disorder

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3 academic subject (n.)
C1 Advanced Academic Formal Education

a particular area of study, especially at a university.

a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education.

Example

Sociology is a relatively modern academic discipline.

Example

The conference brought together experts from various scientific disciplines to discuss the multifaceted impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems.

Usage

Countable in this sense.
4 to punish or correct (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to punish someone for breaking rules so they learn to behave better in the future.

to punish or penalize someone for an offense or failure to follow regulations.

Example

The company decided to discipline the employee for being late three times in one week.

Example

The regulatory body has the power to discipline members who fail to meet the established ethical standards of the profession.

Usage

Transitive verb; always requires an object.
- reward
- praise
5 to train oneself (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to train yourself to do something in a controlled and regular way.

to train oneself or others to act in accordance with a particular set of rules or a specific routine.

Example

She disciplined herself to write at least 500 words every morning.

Example

He had disciplined his mind to ignore distractions, allowing him to focus entirely on the complex mathematical proof before him.

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”).