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 disobedient or defiant behavior

took disciplinary action

2

: of or relating to a particular field of study

academic disciplinary specialization

disciplinarily

ˌdi-sə-plə-ˈner-ə-lē 

adverb

disciplinarity

ˌdi-sə-plə-ˈner-ə-tē 

noun

Synonyms of disciplinary

• punitive
• correctional

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

The district has since taken steps to reform its disciplinary policies, including removing school resource officers in 2024. —Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Administrative complaints start the disciplinary process. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026

The order remains in place indefinitely while the case moves through the State Office of Administrative Hearings, according to the agency’s disciplinary listing. —Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 13 Mar. 2026

Pedro Neto said sorry for pushing a ball boy during Chelsea’s defeat at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, and also gave the kid his shirt — but UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the winger regardless. —Phil Hay, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026

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

Rhymes for disciplinary

• accretionary
• apothecary
• bicentenary
• certiorari
• concessionary
• concretionary
• confectionary
• confectionery
• constabulary
• contemporary
• deflationary
• depositary

Kids Definition

disciplinary

adjective

dis·​ci·​plin·​ary ˈdis-ə-plə-ˌner-ē 

: of or relating to discipline : corrective

take disciplinary action