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

Last month, Smith was convicted of an internal disciplinary charge after speaking with a documentary filmmaker in August. —Juliette Arcodia, NBC News, 19 Nov. 2024

Rokita has also faced disciplinary complaints and a reprimand from the Indiana Supreme Court over some of his conduct in office. —Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Nov. 2024

Additionally, students can combine their various disciplinary interests with their interest in business to demonstrate a creative and original approach to admissions officers. —Christopher Rim, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

In these informal removals, a parent is called to pick up a student early or asked not to bring them to school–without a formal suspension or disciplinary action. —Emily Harvey, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024

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