# discipline

Pronunciation: US say "DIS-uh-plin" /ˈdɪsəplɪn/; UK say "DIS-i-plin" /ˈdɪsɪplɪn/

## Noun

1. Controlled behavior and the capacity for self-control.
   - Simple: The ability to control yourself and keep working at something.
   - _Maintaining a daily writing habit requires considerable discipline._
   - _His discipline in training set him apart from the other athletes._
2. A particular field of knowledge, study, or practice, such as sociology or law.
   - Simple: A field of study or area of knowledge, like math or history.
   - _Sociology emerged as a distinct discipline in the nineteenth century._
   - _Researchers from several disciplines collaborated on the project._
3. A category to which a particular art, sport, or activity belongs.
   - Simple: One of the separate events or activities within a sport or art.
   - _She competes in three disciplines across the winter games._
   - _The festival celebrated every artistic discipline from painting to dance._
5. A punishment used to train someone or maintain control.
   - Simple: Punishment used to train someone or keep control.
   - _The soldier accepted his discipline without complaint._
   - _Repeated lateness led to formal discipline at work._
6. Order and obedience maintained in a group by enforcing rules and authority.
   - Simple: When people in a group follow the rules and obey the person in charge.
   - _The regime maintained discipline through constant surveillance._
   - _Harsh discipline forced the workers into silence._
7. A system of rules or methods that regulates behavior and trains people to obey.
   - Simple: A set of rules or a routine that controls how people behave.
   - _Military discipline governs nearly every aspect of a recruit's day._
   - _The club enforced a strict discipline on its members._
10. Flagellation engaged in as a means of sexual gratification.
   - Simple: Whipping or hitting done to get sexual pleasure.
   - _Their relationship incorporated discipline for mutual erotic satisfaction._
   - _She regarded discipline as central to her sexual fulfillment._

## Verb

4. To punish someone in order to regain or maintain control.
   - Simple: To punish someone so they behave and follow the rules.
   - _Management disciplined the employee for repeated absences._
   - _Schools discipline pupils who disrupt the class._
9. To train someone through instruction and repeated practice.
   - Simple: To train someone by teaching them and having them practice.
   - _The monastery disciplined novices through years of rigorous study._
   - _Top trainers discipline athletes to perform under pressure._
8. To train someone to obey authority, or to bring people under order and control.
   - Simple: To teach people to obey rules and orders.
   - _The academy disciplined cadets to obey without question._
   - _The new captain worked hard to discipline the unruly crew and restore order on the ship._

## Other meanings

- (noun) A whip used for self-inflicted flagellation as a religious practice.

## Origin

Latin disciplina ("instruction"), formed from discipulus ("pupil") under the influence of disco ("to learn"), reached English through Old French descipline, Anglo-Norman and Middle English. Disco itself goes back to *dek-, a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "(cause to) accept".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/discipline (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).