doctrine
Americannoun
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a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government.
Catholic doctrines;
the Monroe Doctrine.
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something that is taught; teachings collectively.
religious doctrine.
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a body or system of teachings relating to a particular subject.
the doctrine of the Catholic Church.
noun
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a creed or body of teachings of a religious, political, or philosophical group presented for acceptance or belief; dogma
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a principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated
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
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.
They began a decades-long pursuit of a new doctrine supported by new weapons to prevent the U.S.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
He paid tribute to the quality of the speeches made on the basis of personal opinion rather than party political doctrine.
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
Most presidential administrations have claimed to operate according to a foreign policy doctrine of some kind: for instance, neoconservatism, liberal internationalism, isolationism, or realpolitik.
From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026
This law encompasses everyone involved in that felony, holding them equally responsible under a doctrine called accomplice liability.
From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026
Buddhists are more complicated—because of the Buddha’s doctrine of anatta, which basically says that people don’t have eternal souls.
From "Looking for Alaska" by John Green
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.
