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 read Wong Kim Ark and other sources as having incorporated British common-law doctrine deeming anyone born in the British Empire a subject of the crown.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
"We are embracing the very doctrine we used to reject," Axworthy wrote.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
This law encompasses everyone involved in that felony, holding them equally responsible under a doctrine called accomplice liability.
From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026
The doctrine aims not merely at air superiority but at air supremacy -- the difference between having an advantage in the air versus total dominance of an airspace.
From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026
His most famous student, Alexander the Great, spread the doctrine as far east as India before Alexander’s untimely death in 323 BC.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
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.
