doctrine

American  

[dok-trin] / ˈdɒk trɪn /

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.

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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

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

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

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

It also isn’t clear that the Donroe Doctrine precludes interventions outside the Western Hemisphere.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

The Donroe Doctrine puts Monroe's 200-year-old message on steroids.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2026

The Doctrine of Discovery influenced the policies of the young United States and directly affected the lives and the very existence of Native people.

From "An Indigenous People’s History of the United States" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Related Words

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