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
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."
Vocabulary lists containing doctrine
"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker
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Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)
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Twelve Days in May
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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.
Versace’s rock star rendering of the Virgin Mary offered people a new way of seeing her – one open to interpretation outside of doctrine.
From Salon • May 17, 2026
As inflation fell throughout the 1980s, the doctrine lost many adherents.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
The argument claims that the insurer’s are shielded from antitrust liability under both California and federal law due to a specific legal doctrine that applies to them involving their status as state-regulated entities.
From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026
Circuit Court of Appeals, which had sided with Fluor, by inventing what it called the “battlefield preemption” doctrine.
From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026
I examined polygamy, not as a doctrine but as a social policy.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
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.
