English · Word Candidate

disciplinary

/ˌdɪsɪˈplɪnəɹi/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: disciplinaries

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Having to do with discipline, or with the imposition of discipline.

Adjective

Examples

Debt can motivate or act as a disciplinary force for executives to achieve organizational efficiency.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

For the purpose of imposing punishment.

Adjective

Examples

The school has announced that it will take disciplinary measures against the students who participated in the protest activities.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A disciplinary action.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A disciplinary report.

Noun

Examples

During my 3 weeks upstairs they wrote 4 disciplinaries on me: one for yankng my handcuffs away from an officer who was hurting me by twisting them, one for throwing a roll of toilet paper in the hall, and two verbal "assaults".

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “disciplinary” mean?

Having to do with discipline, or with the imposition of discipline.

Is “disciplinary” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.