doctrine
DOCK-trin
/ˈdɒktrɪn/
A belief, principle, or set of principles taught by a church, political party, or other organization.
Refers to official, systematically taught principles; can apply equally to political, military, legal, and religious contexts.
The story behind the word. The Latin verb 'docere' meant 'to teach'. From this root came 'doctor'—which originally meant an authoritative teacher or scholar rather than a medical physician—and 'doctrina', the body of knowledge being taught. Over centuries, 'doctrine' settled into English to mean the structured, official teachings of a religious or political body.
Word relationships
- tenet: A tenet is a single belief held as true, whereas doctrine often refers to a comprehensive body of teachings.
- creed: A creed is a concise formal statement of religious belief, while doctrine includes extended teaching.
- heresy: Heresy represents belief that directly contradicts official doctrine.
Commonly confused with
- dogma: Doctrine refers to structured teachings, whereas dogma implies rigid, uncritical compliance required by authority.
Word family
- doctrinal (adjective): Relating to or concerning doctrine.
- doctrinally (adverb): In terms of doctrine.
- indoctrinate (verb): To teach someone to accept beliefs uncritically.
Collocations
- official doctrine
- political doctrine
- military doctrine
- doctrinal purity
Example sentences
- "The Monroe Doctrine declared that any European intervention in the Americas would be viewed as an act of aggression." Foreign Policy Citation (U.S. State Department Historical Documents (1823))
- "The council gathered to formalize official church doctrine regarding grace and salvation." Religious Context
Memory hook
A DOCTOR of theology teaches church DOCTRINE. Teach what the Doctor taught.
When not to use
Do not confuse with an unstated personal assumption or casual opinion.
Fun facts
- The words 'docile' (easy to teach) and 'document' (originally a written proof or lesson) come from the exact same Latin root docere!
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