What does "doctrine" mean?

1. (government policy) a stated principle of government policy, especially in international relations.

How do you use "doctrine"?

Frequently capitalized when referring to a specific historical policy named after a leader.

doctrine

US //ˈdɑktɹən// UK //dˈɒktɹɪn// doc·trine

1 government policy (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Academic Law

a stated principle of government policy, especially in international relations.

a principle of government policy, particularly one relating to foreign affairs or military strategy.

Example

The president announced a new doctrine to protect the country's borders.

Example

The Monroe Doctrine significantly influenced American foreign policy for decades by asserting that European powers should not interfere in the Americas.

Usage

Frequently capitalized when referring to a specific historical policy named after a leader.

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin doctrina (“teaching, instruction, learning, knowledge”), from doctor (“a teacher”), from docere (“to teach”); see doctor.