In fact, the earliest known use of discipline appears to be punishment-related; it first was used in the 13th century to refer to chastisement of a religious nature, such as self-flagellation.

Discipline entails executing habits precisely as intended, enhancing the likelihood of accomplishment and overcoming competing behaviors. Acting promptly exemplifies discipline, while habits are built …

DISCIPLINE definition: 1. training that makes people more willing to obey or more able to control themselves, often in the…. Learn more.

Discipline definition: training to act in accordance with rules; drill.. See examples of DISCIPLINE used in a sentence.

Definition of discipline noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

There are 17 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun discipline, three of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Sep 6, 2025 · As a noun, "discipline" refers to the practice of enforcing rules or a system of behavior through training, correction, or punishment. This usage is common in contexts like parenting, military, …

A discipline is a particular area of study, especially a subject of study in a college or university.

Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement: was raised in the strictest discipline.

When you have discipline, you have self-control. When you discipline children, you are either teaching them to be well-behaved, or you are punishing and correcting them.