disciplinary
Americanadjective
adjective
-
of, promoting, or used for discipline; corrective
-
relating to a branch of learning
criticism that crosses disciplinary boundaries
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of disciplinary
First recorded in 1575–85; discipline + -ary
Explanation
Anything disciplinary is meant to correct someone's bad behavior or punish them for doing something wrong. At many schools, the vice principal is in charge of disciplinary actions like detention. Many parents have disciplinary methods that include issuing time-outs, grounding teenagers for misbehavior, or withholding privileges like watching TV. The sentences and punishments handed down by judges in criminal courts and military tribunals are more serious disciplinary actions. In fact, the adjective disciplinary comes from a Latin root, disciplina, that means both "instruction given" and "military discipline."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We already knew it was possible that Southampton could be thrown out of the play-offs, but the news that Saints had admitted to three separate charges probably left the disciplinary panel with no other option.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
The EFL can only take disciplinary action against clubs, it is up the Football Association to punish individuals.
From BBC • May 20, 2026
An independent commission is yet to publish a ruling almost a year and a half after a disciplinary hearing concluded.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
The independent disciplinary commission will, in effect, be creating it - which adds further significance.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Half of the inmates in the Box, as it turned out—all thirty on the upper floor—were not disciplinary cases but men under protective custody, of which there were two kinds.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
