discipline
discipline — noun
1. A system of training that teaches people to follow rules and control their behav
A system of training that teaches people to follow rules and control their behaviour, usually by using rewards when they obey and punishments when they break the rules.
Naoko's parents believe that discipline at home helps children learn right from wrong.
collocation: discipline at home
The school has a strict discipline policy that students must follow.
collocation: strict discipline policy
Without proper discipline, the classroom quickly became noisy and hard to manage.
Good discipline in the army means soldiers act immediately when given an order.
The teacher created a discipline system that rewarded students for finishing their work on time.
- training
Focuses on instruction and practice; more neutral than 'discipline', which implies rule-following and consequences
- regulation
Emphasises formal rules and control; less about personal development than 'discipline'
- order
Describes the resulting state of control, not the system of training itself
- chaos
Complete disorder and lack of control, the opposite of what discipline produces
用法筆記
Often described with adjectives such as 'good', 'strict', 'proper', or 'poor'. Common in educational, military, parenting, and workplace contexts.
2. The power to manage your own emotions and choices, particularly when you face di
The power to manage your own emotions and choices, particularly when you face difficulty or feel tempted to do something you should not do.
Zayd showed great discipline by finishing his homework before playing video games.
collocation: show discipline
Saving money instead of spending it on things you want takes real discipline.
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Running a marathon requires mental discipline as much as physical strength.
Jude's discipline helped him stick to his exercise routine even on rainy mornings.
Her discipline at work earned her a reputation as someone who always meets her deadlines.
- self-control
Nearly identical; 'self-control' emphasises restraint of impulses, while 'discipline' suggests a trained habit
- restraint
Often passive — holding back from doing something; 'discipline' is more active and ongoing
- willpower
Focuses on mental strength to resist temptation; 'discipline' also covers consistent routines and habits
- composure
Refers to keeping calm under pressure; narrower in scope than 'discipline'
- indulgence
Giving in to desires without restraint, the opposite of disciplined self-control
用法筆記
Common with verbs such as 'show', 'have', 'require', 'take' (as in 'takes discipline'). Unlike sense 1, this sense describes an inner quality of self-regulation rather than an external system of rules.
常見錯誤
3. A recognised branch of knowledge that scholars study and investigate, usually of
A recognised branch of knowledge that scholars study and investigate, usually offered as a subject in a university or other higher education setting.
Élise chose to study psychology because it was the discipline that interested her most.
Biology is a broad discipline that covers everything from cells to entire ecosystems.
The university offers courses in over fifty academic disciplines.
Ravindra's research crosses several disciplines, including physics and engineering.
The archaeology professor, Dr. Darius, told his students their discipline required careful digging and note-taking.
用法筆記
Used primarily in academic and research contexts. 'Discipline' is broader than 'subject' — a discipline is a recognised field with established research traditions and departments. Often paired with 'academic'.
discipline — verb
1. To punish someone for breaking a rule or doing something wrong, in order to corr
To punish someone for breaking a rule or doing something wrong, in order to correct their behaviour and prevent it from happening again.
The manager disciplined the employee for arriving late three times in one week.
collocation: discipline [someone] for [something]
Tamar's father disciplined her after she lied about finishing her weekend homework.
The coach disciplined the players who skipped practice without telling anyone.
Students who cheat on exams will be disciplined by the school administration.
Chidi was disciplined for shouting during the assembly in front of the whole school.
- reward
The opposite of punishing; used to encourage good behaviour rather than discourage bad behaviour
文法句型
discipline + person + for + [action]
用法筆記
Typically used when an authority figure (parent, teacher, manager, coach) punishes someone under their responsibility. The object is the person being punished, not the behaviour itself. Frequently used in the passive voice: 'He was disciplined for…'
常見錯誤
2. To train someone to control their behaviour and follow rules through instruction
To train someone to control their behaviour and follow rules through instruction, repeated practice, and clear expectations.
Naoko's parents disciplined her to finish her chores before watching television.
collocation: discipline [someone] to [do something]
The programme is designed to discipline young athletes both mentally and physically.
collocation: discipline [someone] mentally and physically
Caio disciplined himself to wake up at five every morning for his training session.
The teacher worked hard to discipline the class so they could learn without disruption.
Ari disciplined his mind to stay calm and focused during every match he played.
- train
Broader and more neutral; 'train' can apply to any skill, while 'discipline' specifically targets behaviour and self-control
- coach
Often sports-specific or performance-focused; implies guidance rather than rule enforcement
- mould
Emphasises shaping character or habits over time; more figurative than 'discipline'
- spoil
To allow someone to behave without limits, the opposite of training self-control
文法句型
discipline + person + to + infinitive
discipline + reflexive pronoun + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Often followed by a reflexive pronoun ('discipline yourself') or an infinitive clause ('discipline someone to do something'). Unlike sense 1 (PUNISH), this sense is about building habits and self-control through training, not about punishing wrongdoing.