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.
The watchdog is calling on political parties to make clear in their own rules that members "must respect other campaigners", with potential disciplinary action if they do not.
From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026
At no point during his more than 50 years in prison was Davis ever cited for a disciplinary issue.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026
The specific actions that led to these disciplinary decisions run the gamut.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
But even that outdoor time was sometimes withheld when her classmates “behaved poorly”—a common disciplinary tactic that the national guidance recommends against.
From Slate ● Sep. 5, 2026
There was an emergency meeting of the disciplinary committee, and Scythe Curie showed up on her behalf, clearing her of any wrongdoing.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
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.
