disciplinary

adjective

dis·​ci·​plin·​ary ˈdi-sə-plə-ˌner-ē 

 especially British  ˌdi-sə-ˈpli-nə-rē

1

a

: of or relating to discipline

disciplinary problems

b

: designed to correct or punish breaches of discipline

took disciplinary action

2

: of or relating to a particular field of study

disciplinary specialization

disciplinarily

ˌdi-sə-plə-ˈner-ə-lē 

adverb

disciplinarity

ˌdi-sə-plə-ˈner-ə-tē 

noun

Synonyms

• castigating
• chastening
• chastising
• correcting
• correctional
• corrective
• disciplining
• penal
• penalizing
• punitive

Examples of disciplinary in a Sentence

The committee is considering disciplinary measures against him.

called for disciplinary actions in response to the outrageous behavior

Recent Examples on the Web

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) announced a settled disciplinary order sanctioning Baker Tilly US, LLP for violations of PCAOB rules and quality control standards. —Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Data for solitary confinement stays indicates an order for Perkins to be moved but does not represent the total number of days he's been in the disciplinary unit, which is not known. —Kallie Cox, Charlotte Observer, 17 Jan. 2025

There were no disciplinary records in the documents obtained by the Sun Sentinel. —Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 17 Jan. 2025

Model regulation before punishment A disciplinary tactic can often stem from frustration due to misbehavior. —Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin disciplīnārius, from Latin disciplīna "teaching, discipline entry 1" + -ārius -ary entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

disciplinary

adjective

dis·​ci·​plin·​ary ˈdis-ə-plə-ˌner-ē 

: of or relating to discipline : corrective

take disciplinary action