a branch of knowledge
"in what discipline is his doctorate?"
"teachers should be well trained in their subject"
"anthropology is the study of human beings"
a system of rules of conduct or method of practice
"he quickly learned the discipline of prison routine"
"for such a plan to work requires discipline"
training to improve strength or self-control
"After months of rigorous discipline, she finally gained enough self-control to stop snacking before dinner."
the act of disciplining
"the offenders deserved the harsh discipline they received"
A controlled behaviour; self-control.
"She had to rely on sheer discipline to keep her eyes off the phone while studying for the exam."
An enforced compliance or control.
"The strict schedule at the new boot camp was designed to enforce total discipline among the recruits."
In plain English: Discipline is the ability to control your own behavior and stick to rules even when you don't feel like it.
"The teacher praised the students for showing good discipline during the exam."
Usage: Use discipline as a noun to describe the ability to control your actions and impulses through practice and willpower. It refers specifically to the habit of following rules or training oneself to behave properly rather than referring to punishment.
develop (a child's or animal's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
"Parents must discipline their children"
"Is this dog trained?"
punish in order to gain control or enforce obedience
"The teacher disciplined the pupils rather frequently"
To train someone by instruction and practice.
"The new coach spent the first month strictly disciplining the players through repetitive drills to build their endurance."
In plain English: To discipline someone means to punish them for doing something wrong so they learn better behavior.
"The coach will discipline the player who breaks the rules."
Usage: Use the verb discipline to mean training someone through strict instruction and consistent practice rather than punishment. It implies a process of teaching self-control or skill development over time.
The word discipline entered English via Middle English and Anglo-Norman from the Old French descipline, originally meaning "instruction." It traces back to the Latin disciplina, which referred to a pupil's learning process.