doctrine

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A set of beliefs or teachings officially held by a church, party or other group.

   Grammar: Countable for a particular teaching: a doctrine; uncountable for teaching in general.

   Patterns

   • the doctrine of something
   • a doctrine that ...

   The church's doctrine on charity has not changed in centuries.

   He studied the doctrine of the Reformation.

   The party's doctrine was set out in a short manifesto.

2. 2nouncountable

   A principle or policy that guides a government's or organization's decisions in a particular area.

   Grammar: Often named after a leader or area: the Monroe Doctrine.

   Patterns

   • the doctrine of something
   • the X doctrine

   The president announced a new doctrine of defense.

   The Monroe Doctrine shaped foreign policy for generations.

   The company's doctrine of customer first guides all decisions.

3. 3nouncountablelaw

   A legal rule or principle established by courts and followed in later cases.

   Grammar: Often used in law texts: the doctrine of precedent.

   Patterns

   • the doctrine of something

   The court relied on the doctrine of precedent.

   This legal doctrine protects people who act in good faith.

   The judge explained the doctrine to the jury.

Word forms

Common combinations

religious doctrine

Religious doctrine shaped the school's rules.

official doctrine

This view is not official doctrine.

military doctrine

Military doctrine changed after the war.

the doctrine of

The doctrine of free will is debated by philosophers.

adhere to a doctrine

The group adheres to a strict doctrine.

Synonyms and how they differ

dogma

Dogma suggests a belief held without question, often with a critical tone, while doctrine is neutral.

creed

Creed is a formal statement of belief, especially religious, whereas doctrine is the broader teaching.

principle

Principle is a basic rule or truth and is less tied to an organization than doctrine.

ideology

Ideology is a whole system of political ideas, while doctrine is a more specific teaching.

Opposites

Word family

doctrinal adjective

relating to doctrine

doctrinaire adjective

stubbornly applying a theory without flexibility

indoctrinate verb

to teach someone to accept beliefs without question

indoctrination noun

the process of teaching beliefs this way

Commonly confused: doctrine or doctorine? doctrine or dogma?

Practice

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