doctrine

[dok-trin]

noun

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.

doctrine

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of doctrine¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of doctrine¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin doctrīna teaching, from doctor see _doctor

Example Sentences

Board of Education of Topeka by ruling that “in the field of education the doctrine of ‘separate but equal’ has no place.”

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He praises Texas’s codification of the business-judgment rule, and for good reason: Delaware developed that doctrine generations ago, and its courts have consistently treated it as a bedrock principle of corporate law.

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Multhaup also argued that Cohen failed to call a Scientology witness to counter a prosecution expert who testified that church doctrines would have barred the victims from reporting Masterson to police.

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The author asserts that the Church’s teachings on immigrant dignity rest on deep biblical and theological foundations rooted in scripture and papal encyclicals, making the bishops’ position consistent with authentic Catholic doctrine.

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Notably, the bill explicitly strips federal officials of qualified immunity—a legal doctrine that has long shielded government agents from personal liability even in cases of egregious constitutional violations.

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Related Words

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