A doctrine is a set of principles or beliefs, especially religious ones.
...the Marxist doctrine of perpetual revolution. [+ of]
I disagree with the doctrine that the writer's life and intention have no bearingon his texts.
Synonyms: teaching, principle, belief, opinion More Synonyms of doctrine
2. countable noun
A doctrine is a statement of official government policy, especially foreign policy.
[US]
Following World War II, the first U.S. commitment to Europe came in the form of the1947 Truman Doctrine.
doctrine in British English
(ˈdɒktrɪn)
noun
1.
a creed or body of teachings of a religious, political, or philosophical group presented for acceptance or belief; dogma
2.
a principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated
Derived forms
doctrinal (dɒkˈtraɪnəl)
adjective
doctrinality (ˌdɒktrɪˈnælɪtɪ)
noun
doctrinally (docˈtrinally)
adverb
doctrinism (ˈdoctrinism)
noun
doctrinist (ˈdoctrinist)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Old French, from Latin doctrīna teaching, from doctor see doctor
doctrine in American English
(ˈdɑktrɪn)
noun
1.
something taught; teachings
2.
something taught as the principles or creed of a religion, political party, etc.; tenet or tenets; belief; dogma
3.
a rule, theory, or principle of law
4. US
an official statement of a nation's policy, esp. toward other nations
the Monroe Doctrine
SYNONYMY NOTE: doctrine refers to a theory based on carefully worked out principles and taught or advocatedby its adherents [scientific or social doctrines]; dogma refers to a belief or doctrine that is handed down by authority as true and indisputable,and often connotes arbitrariness, arrogance, etc. [religious dogma]; tenet emphasizes the maintenance or defense, rather than the teaching, of a theory or principle[the tenets of a political party]; precept refers to an injunction or dogma intended as a rule of action or conduct [to teach by example rather than by precept]
Derived forms
doctrinal (ˈdoctrinal) (ˈdɑktrɪnəl)
adjective
doctrinally (ˈdoctrinally)
adverb
Word origin
ME < L doctrina < doctor: see UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
Examples of 'doctrine' in a sentence
doctrine
It is a haphazard mixture of life and doctrine.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Most religious doctrine advances intellectually challenging accounts of history.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Foreign policy doctrines are impossible to pursue with consistency, for each case is unlike any other.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They now deal with questions of doctrine and practice and some other aspects of Church life.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Similarly, the religious right preaches a doctrine of reassurance.
Kennedy, Douglas In God's Country: travels in the Bible belt, USA. (1989)
If they do not, they will be swiftly identified as places where extremist doctrines or sloppy practices hold sway.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
According to a recent study, doctrine and church beliefs were found to be the most important reasons why adults switch churches.
Christianity Today (2000)
Yet it hit home, reflecting the doctrine of the religious right that dust we are and unto dust we shall return.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The influence of religious doctrine is not exerted through the actor's coming to a conviction and then acting upon it in a rational sense.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
For the question was not "Does Catholic doctrine permit divorce?
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
Secondly, we are dealing with religious images, not religious doctrines.
Greeley, Andrew M. Sociology and Religion: A Collection of Readings (1995)
But was theirs also a doctrine of religious intolerance - and intolerance of religion - and xenophobia?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It completely transformed the idea of " Catholic social doctrine", which had come to mean in effect "papal social doctrine".
Hebblethwaite, Peter Paul VI - The First Modern Pope (1993)
In other languages
doctrine
British English: doctrine NOUN
A doctrine is a set of principles or beliefs, especially religious ones.
...the Marxist doctrine of perpetual revolution.
American English: doctrine
Brazilian Portuguese: doutrina
Chinese: > 信条尤指宗教的
European Spanish: doctrina
French: doctrine
German: Doktrin
Italian: dottrina
Japanese: 教義
Korean: 교리
European Portuguese: doutrina
Latin American Spanish: doctrina
All related terms of 'doctrine'
Monroe doctrine
a principle of US foreign policy that opposes the influence or interference of outside powers in the Americas
Fairness Doctrine
the requirement of the Federal Communications Commission that broadcast coverage of controversial subjects should be balanced
doctrine of descent
the theory that animals and plants arose by descent from previously existing organisms; theory of evolution
banking principle
the principle that bank notes are a form of credit and should be issued freely in order to maintain an elastic currency
currency principle
the principle that banks should be permitted to issue notes only against bullion or coin
(noun)
Definition
a principle or body of principles that is taught or advocated
the Marxist doctrine of perpetual revolution
Synonyms
teaching
principle
a violation of the basic principles of Marxism
belief
He refuses to compete on Sundays because of his religious beliefs.
opinion
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
article
concept
conviction
Their religious convictions prevented them from taking up arms.
canon
These measures offended all the accepted canons of political economy.
creed
The centre is open to all, no matter what race or creed.