doctrine

American  

[dok-trin] / ˈdɒk trɪn /

noun

1. a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government.

   Catholic doctrines;

   the Monroe Doctrine.

   Synonyms:

   belief, precept, theory, dogma, tenet

2. something that is taught; teachings collectively.

   religious doctrine.

3. a body or system of teachings relating to a particular subject.

   the doctrine of the Catholic Church.

---

doctrine British  

/ ˌdɒktrɪˈnælɪtɪ, ˈdɒktrɪn, dɒkˈtraɪnəl /

noun

1. a creed or body of teachings of a religious, political, or philosophical group presented for acceptance or belief; dogma

2. 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

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."

Example Sentences

That led to a U.S. naval blockade, which is the second phase of America’s evolving new doctrine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Circuit Court of Appeals, which had sided with Fluor, by inventing what it called the “battlefield preemption” doctrine.

From Slate • Apr. 22, 2026

The utility of religious doctrine and practice is another of the book’s themes.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

In the church I grew up in, people didn’t only show up for doctrine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 19, 2026

I taught social doctrine to Muslims, and current events, and politics.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey

Related Words

• attitude
• axiom
• belief
• concept
• creed
• dogma
• precept
• proposition
• regulation
• rule
• statement
• teaching
• tenet
• tradition