doctrine

noun

SayDOK-trin/ˈdɑk.tɹɪn/UK/ˈdɒk.tɹɪn/

Pluraldoctrines

3 meanings of doctrine

1
nouncountable or uncountable
The full set of beliefs and teachings of a religion, group, or leader.
Like a rulebook that holds all of a group's beliefs in one place.
Church doctrine teaches that forgiveness is always possible.
The party's doctrine shaped everything its members believed.
Similarteaching, dogma, ideology, creed
Note
2
nouncountable
One belief held to be true, especially about religion or the meaning of life.
Like one rule in a list of rules a group believes in.
The idea that all people are equal is a central doctrine of many faiths.
He rejected one key doctrine of the church and left.
Similarbelief, principle, tenet, creed, dogma
Note
3
nouncountable
A rule a country sets for itself about how it will deal with other countries.
Like a household rule about which neighbors you will and won't let in the door.
The new doctrine warned other nations not to interfere in the region.
Their foreign-policy doctrine focused on protecting trade routes.
Similarpolicy
Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from Latin doctrina, meaning 'teaching', from docere, 'to teach'.