Word
discipline
Phoneticsdis·ci·pline, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɪsəpɫən/
UK/dˈɪsɪplˌɪn/
Definitions
01self-control
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the ability to control your own behavior and work hard without needing others to tell you what to do.
n. the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards.
Español:disciplina
“It takes a lot of discipline to get up at 5:00 AM every day to exercise.”
“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.
Antonyms
02rules and order
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a system of rules used to keep order in a group, like a school or the army.
n. the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, often using punishment to correct disobedience.
日本語:規律※
“The teacher struggled to maintain discipline in the noisy classroom.”
“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'.
Synonyms
03academic subject
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Education Academic · Formal
n. a particular area of study, especially at a university.
n. a branch of knowledge, typically one studied in higher education.
日本語:学問※
“Sociology is a relatively modern academic discipline.”
“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.
04to punish or correct
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to punish someone for breaking rules so they learn to behave better in the future.
v. to punish or penalize someone for an offense or failure to follow regulations.
“The company decided to discipline the employee for being late three times in one week.”
“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.
05to train oneself
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to train yourself to do something in a controlled and regular way.
v. to train oneself or others to act in accordance with a particular set of rules or a specific routine.
“She disciplined herself to write at least 500 words every morning.”
“He had disciplined his mind to ignore distractions, allowing him to focus entirely on the complex mathematical proof before him.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “discipline” in context.
Adjective
01. new discipline
“Data science is a relatively new discipline that combines statistics and programming.”
adj + noun
02. recent discipline
“Bioethics is a recent discipline that has grown alongside medical technology.”
adj + noun
03. scientific discipline
“Physics is a fundamental scientific discipline that explains how the universe works.”
adj + noun
04. various discipline
“The research project involved experts from various disciplines, including history and sociology.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“To answer Drake’s third question – how many of those planets are capable of sustaining life – a new scientific discipline has emerged: astrobiology, the study of life among the stars.” “Producing an asset that can be brought into current workflows gives World Labs’ product the potential for immediate application by game developers, VFX artists, and professionals in other creative and technical disciplines.” “Relentless discipline on the training pitch as he drills his blueprint into your nervous system.” “Surely anatomy , as a discipline, must be complete?” Etymology
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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
In Music
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Discipline · 2008 · Industrial metal
- Artist:
- Nine Inch Nails
- Album:
- The Slip
Nine Inch Nails released this industrial rock track in 2008 as their first independent single. The title refers to the struggle for self-control and the mental effort required to keep one's life from falling apart. It highlights the figurative sense of the word as an internal force rather than an external set of rules.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/discipline
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0