# discipline

/ˈdɪsəpɫən/ (US) · /dˈɪsɪplˌɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/discipline
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. self-control

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- 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.

### 2. rules and order

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- 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'.

### 3. academic subject

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a particular area of study, especially at a university.

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

- 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.

### 4. to punish or correct

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. to train oneself

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- It takes a lot of discipline to exercise every morning.
- The teacher struggled to maintain discipline in the classroom because the students kept talking over her.
- While martial arts require immense physical strength, the true focus of the practice is cultivating the mental discipline needed to remain calm under pressure.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.