doctrine

American  

[dok-trin] / ˈdɒk trɪn /

noun

doctrines plural

1. a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government.

   Catholic doctrines;

   the Monroe Doctrine.

   Synonyms:

   belief, precept, theory, dogma, tenet

2. something that is taught; teachings collectively.

   religious doctrine.

3. a body or system of teachings relating to a particular subject.

   the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

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doctrine British  

/ ˌdɒktrɪˈnælɪtɪ, ˈdɒktrɪn, dɒkˈtraɪnəl /

noun

1. a creed or body of teachings of a religious, political, or philosophical group presented for acceptance or belief; dogma

2. a principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• doctrinality
  noun
• doctrinism
  noun
• doctrinist
  noun
• self-doctrine
  noun
• doctrinal
  adjective
• doctrinally
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• doctrines
  plural

Etymology

Origin of doctrine

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin doctrīna “teaching,” from doct(o)r doctor + -īna -ine ²

Explanation

A doctrine is a set of beliefs. The word comes from the Latin doctor for “teacher,” so think of a doctrine is the teachings of a school, religion, or political group. The Monroe Doctrine is the policy that President Monroe introduced in 1823 to limit European influence in the Americas. It has been a major part of U.S. foreign policy, but was revamped in 2013 by Secretary of State John Kerry in the Kerry Doctrine. Doctrine and doctor derive from the same Latin word, docere, which means "to teach": doctor means "teacher," and doctrina means "teaching, learning."

Example Sentences

In energy-hungry America, the Carter Doctrine highlighted the free flow of oil through the Persian Gulf as a vital national interest.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026

Seen through this lens, the Monroe Doctrine was more a defensive crouch than the posture of a global hegemon.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

You go back to something like the Powell Doctrine, so-called, of military force: an overwhelming use of military force, state clear objectives, be ready to know when you get out.

From Slate • Mar. 2, 2026

Now he's trying out a new name for the Monroe Doctrine, which has been a foundation of US policy in Latin America for two centuries.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

It can stand in for anything—a stuffed piranha, existentialism, the Monroe Doctrine, or buttered toast.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner

Related Words

• attitude
• axiom
• belief
• concept
• creed
• dogma
• precept
• proposition
• regulation
• rule
• statement
• teaching
• tenet
• tradition