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

This approach helps employees understand that promotions, raises, or disciplinary actions are based on merit and business needs, not subjective or emotional factors. —Pam Cohen, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

Some 50 workers of the museum participated in two walkouts that month and sent a petition to leadership demanding that the ban be repealed, and no disciplinary action be taken against staffers who choose to wear the garment on site. —Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Sep. 2024

The student has been placed on suspension pending further disciplinary processes by Bethel-Tate Local School District officials, the sheriff's office said. —Erin Couch, The Enquirer, 25 Sep. 2024

The National Labor Relations Act requires employers to bargain in good faith with a union over wages, hours, health care, disciplinary procedures and other working conditions. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 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