disciplinarian
Americannoun
adjective
noun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of disciplinarian
First recorded in 1575–85; discipline + -arian
Explanation
A disciplinarian is someone who expects you to follow a very strict set of rules. Many disciplinarians also believe in using harsh punishments for those who break those rules. The word disciplinarian is all about discipline, which originally meant "punishment for the sake of correction." The Latin root, disciplina, was a lot more about teaching, instruction, and knowledge than punishment, though. Today, a disciplinarian's intent is both to instruct by means of explicit rules and to punish when those rules aren't followed. If your disciplinarian parents tell you to take the trash out, you're probably quick to follow their instructions.
Vocabulary lists containing disciplinarian
Power Suffix: -arian
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Facing the Lion
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Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet
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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.
The disciplinarian camp says ‘treat-slinging wieners’ have lost their dogs’ respect, fanning the flames of an increasingly vicious fight.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2026
The Agnews, Rikk, Frank, and Alfie, were the sons of a disciplinarian Irish father who worked for SoCal Gas and a Mexican mother.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
"She's an inspiration to women everywhere - a rare person who shows love and affection to her students, yet remains a strict disciplinarian when it comes to Kalari," says KF Thomas, a former student.
From BBC ● Apr. 19, 2025
Children, according to the old disciplinarian maxim, should be seen and not heard.
From New York Times ● Nov. 22, 2023
Principal O’Sullivan, who was also the head disciplinarian, punished the most defiant children.
From "Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
