Doctrine: meaning, definitions and examples

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doctrine

[ˈdɒktrɪn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

religious belief

A belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group. Doctrines are usually set out in official documents or statements.

Synonyms

belief, principle, tenet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
doctrine	Used primarily to refer to official teachings or established policies, especially in a religious, political, or philosophical context. The Monroe Doctrine was a pivotal policy in American history. The church’s doctrine was deemed crucial to its teachings.
belief	Refers to an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof, and is used in personal and informal contexts. Her belief in the power of love kept her going. People have different beliefs about what happens after death.
principle	Refers to fundamental truths or propositions that serve as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior or for a chain of reasoning. Often used in ethical, legal, or scientific contexts. She stood by her principles, even when it was difficult. The principle of gravity explains why objects fall to the ground.
tenet	Denotes a main belief or philosophy that is held by a group, typically applied in more formal or intellectual contexts. One of the core tenets of democracy is the right to free speech. The tenets of Buddhism guide followers’ daily practices.

Examples of usage

The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christianity.
She is a firm believer in the doctrine of karma.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

legal

A rule or principle that a court applies when deciding how to interpret the law. Doctrines are based on past decisions of the courts.

Synonyms

precedent, principle, rule.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
doctrine	Used in formal discussions about beliefs, teachings, or principles, especially in religion, politics, or law. The doctrine of the Trinity is central to many branches of Christianity. He studied the military doctrine of ancient Rome.
principle	Refers to a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior. Honesty is a key principle in building trust. The principles of natural justice are important in the legal system.
rule	Used to describe an explicit or understood regulation or principle governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere. The school has a rule against running in the hallways. There are strict rules that players must follow during the game.
precedent	Commonly used in legal contexts to refer to previous court decisions that influence future cases. The judge's decision set a new legal precedent. Lawyers often research precedents to build their case.

Examples of usage

The doctrine of precedent is important in common law systems.
The court relied on the doctrine of stare decisis in reaching its decision.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

military

A military principle that is taught and followed by a particular army or military organization.

Synonyms

principle, strategy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
doctrine	Use in a formal or academic context to refer to a set of beliefs or teachings, especially in religion, politics, or law. The church's doctrine emphasizes charity and compassion. The Monroe Doctrine was a pivotal moment in American foreign policy.
principle	Used to describe a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior. One of the basic principles of physics is the law of gravity. Honesty is a principle that he always strives to live by.
strategy	Refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim, commonly used in business, military, and competitive scenarios. The company's marketing strategy led to a significant increase in sales. The general devised a strategy to outmaneuver the enemy forces.

Word

Description / Examples

doctrine

Use in a formal or academic context to refer to a set of beliefs or teachings, especially in religion, politics, or law.

The church's doctrine emphasizes charity and compassion.
The Monroe Doctrine was a pivotal moment in American foreign policy.

principle

Used to describe a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.

One of the basic principles of physics is the law of gravity.
Honesty is a principle that he always strives to live by.

strategy

Refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim, commonly used in business, military, and competitive scenarios.

The company's marketing strategy led to a significant increase in sales.
The general devised a strategy to outmaneuver the enemy forces.

Examples of usage

The doctrine of surprise is crucial in modern warfare.
The army's doctrine emphasizes speed and flexibility.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'doctrina', meaning teaching or instruction.
It entered English in the late 14th century, primarily relating to religious teachings.
Related words include 'doctor', which originally meant 'teacher'.

Religion

Many religions have fundamental doctrines that guide their beliefs and practices, such as the doctrine of the Trinity in Christianity.
In Buddhism, doctrines are often based on the teachings of the Buddha, emphasizing moral conduct and mental development.
The doctrine of justification is a key concept in Protestant Christianity, influencing views on salvation.

Politics

Political doctrines, like capitalism or socialism, influence laws and government policies.
The Monroe Doctrine (1823) warned European nations against colonizing in the Americas, shaping U.S. foreign policy.
The doctrine of separation of powers is essential in democratic systems, ensuring no single branch of government has too much power.

Education

Educational doctrines can shape curriculums, like progressivism which promotes active learning.
The doctrine of 'No Child Left Behind' aimed to increase accountability in schools across the U.S.
Montessori is a teaching doctrine that encourages self-directed learning and personal growth.

Philosophy

In philosophy, doctrines can set the foundation for ethical theories, such as utilitarianism which focuses on the greatest happiness.
The doctrine of intrinsic value holds that some things are valuable in themselves, independent of their usefulness.
Existentialist doctrines explore individual freedom and choice, emphasizing personal responsibility.

Translations

Translations of the word "doctrine" in other languages:

🇵🇹 doutrina

🇮🇳 सिद्धांत

🇩🇪 Doktrin

🇮🇩 doktrin

🇺🇦 доктрина

🇵🇱 doktryna

🇯🇵 教義 (きょうぎ)

🇫🇷 doctrine

🇪🇸 doctrina

🇹🇷 doktrin

🇰🇷 교리 (gyori)

🇸🇦 عقيدة (ʿaqīda)

🇨🇿 doktrína

🇸🇰 doktrína

🇨🇳 学说 (xuéshuō)

🇸🇮 doktrina

🇮🇸 kenning

🇰🇿 доктрина

🇬🇪 დოქტრინა (doqtrina)

🇦🇿 doktrina

🇲🇽 doctrina

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,023, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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