disciplinarian

[dis-uh-pluh-nair-ee-uhn]

noun

1. a person who enforces or advocates discipline.

   The teacher was a formidable disciplinarian.

adjective

1. disciplinary.

disciplinarian

/ ˌdɪsɪplɪˈnɛərɪən /

noun

1. a person who imposes or advocates discipline

adjective

1. a less common word for disciplinary

Word History and Origins

Origin of disciplinarian¹

First recorded in 1575–85; discipline + -arian

Example Sentences

The family was conservative; her dad, a disciplinarian.

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Ray, who is joining the Marines to make his disciplinarian but not unkind father proud, convinces Cam to join alongside him.

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Many of those who supported him thought his military background and disciplinarian credentials were what the country needed to get to grips with the Islamist insurgency in the north.

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A boy - now aged 36 - claimed "disciplinarian" Keenan would poke him on the body if he did not return home from school in a set time.

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"She's an inspiration to women everywhere - a rare person who shows love and affection to her students, yet remains a strict disciplinarian when it comes to Kalari," says KF Thomas, a former student.

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Related Words

• enforcer