doctrine
n. C / Un. a set of beliefs or rules taught by a group, such as a church or a government. It is the official way that a group thinks about a specific subject.
n. a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a Church, political party, or other group. Often used to describe a stated principle of government policy, particularly in foreign or military affairs.
The church leaders explained their religious doctrine to the followers.
The country's military doctrine focuses on defense rather than starting conflicts with its neighbors.
Legal scholars spent years debating whether the new ruling contradicted the established doctrine of judicial precedent that had guided the courts for decades.
From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin doctrina (“teaching, instruction, learning, knowledge”), from doctor (“a teacher”), from docere (“to teach”); see doctor.
Uncountable when referring to the general body of teachings; countable when referring to a specific policy or set of principles.