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
Derived 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.
Her own doctrine, she momentarily admitted, leaves its followers “socially isolated.”
From Salon • Jun. 12, 2026
Their motion asks the judge to order a judgment in the insurers’ favor that would make Edison liable for the damage under inverse condemnation, a legal doctrine in the state constitution.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
Pashinyan is running on his doctrine of "Real Armenia" - a country at peace with Azerbaijan and integrated into Europe, rather than one defined by territorial ambitions and dependence on Moscow.
From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026
The National Council of Churches managed, over the course of the 20th century, to evacuate Protestant doctrine and sentiment from the most Protestant country on earth.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
The church had ended the temporal practice of polygamy in 1890, but it had never recanted the doctrine.
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.
