discipline

Everyday

1. Discipline is following rules and controlling how you act, often taught by parents or teachers. tree →
2. Self-discipline: making yourself do what you should, like practising every day. tree →
3. To discipline someone is to punish them for breaking rules. tree →
4. (formal) A subject or field of study, such as maths or biology. tree →

In the lessons

Used in school (classroom discipline), sport (training discipline) and at home. Phrases: «keep discipline», «lack discipline», «self-discipline», «discipline yourself». In formal writing «scientific disciplines» means different sciences.

Examples

• The coach said discipline is the key to winning. tree →
• Learning piano takes a lot of discipline. tree →
• The school has strict discipline. tree →
• Her parents disciplined her for lying. tree →
• Chemistry and physics are two scientific disciplines. tree →
• It takes self-discipline to do homework before games. tree →
• The soldiers marched with perfect discipline. tree →
• The pressure of regularity and discipline here stamped the jewel, which in the future the world so well knew. tree →

Note

As «following rules» it is uncountable; as «a field of study» it is countable (disciplines). Adjective: disciplined (a disciplined player). Spelling trap: «sc» in disci-pline.

In Jewish tradition

It means teaching, correction and training in right living, often given by a parent or by God, not only punishment.

Interpretation. Proverbs opens with the call to receive discipline and wisdom, and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge. The tradition sees discipline as a loving form of teaching.

Examples

• To receive the discipline of wisdom, justice, and right, and equity; (Writings PRO.1.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. (Writings JOB.36.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and discipline. (Writings PRO.1.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

As «following rules» it is uncountable; as «a field of study» it is countable (disciplines). Adjective: disciplined (a disciplined player). Spelling trap: «sc» in disci-pline.