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

Advertisement In addition, the Bureau of Prisons will restore early release credits to FCI Dublin transfers and expunge invalid disciplinary write-ups by Dublin staff to ensure class members don’t lose opportunities for early release. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2024

Trump also would ultimately be in charge of the federal ethics office after inauguration and would be responsible for pursuing or authorizing any disciplinary or corrective action among his cabinet members. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 6 Dec. 2024

The party says there will be disciplinary action — which could include censure, suspension and a ban — for those who violate the code. —Hayleigh Colombo, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024

Depending on the severity of the issue the company has with an employee, they may be terminated, given warnings or face disciplinary actions. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 5 Dec. 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