doctrine

/ˈdɒktrɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdɑːktrɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdäk-trən/ (ame, mw)

doctrine — noun

  • doctrinesingular
  • doctrinesplural

1. A body of teachings that a religious or political organization presents to its m

1.名詞B2
釋義

A body of teachings that a religious or political organization presents to its members as the correct understanding of its core ideas and values.

例句

Takeshi spent three years studying Buddhist doctrine at a university in Kyoto.

studying + [religion] + doctrine

Devika questioned whether the church's doctrine still applied to modern life.

questioning whether + doctrine + applies

同義詞
  • dogma

    More rigid and negative — implies beliefs that followers must accept without questioning; 'doctrine' is more neutral.

  • teaching

    Broader and less formal — can apply to any instruction from any source, not only official group beliefs.

  • tenet

    Refers to a single principle or belief, rather than a whole system or body of teachings.

  • creed

    Usually a formal written statement of religious beliefs used in prayers or declarations, narrower than 'doctrine'.

文法句型

the doctrine of [religion/political group]

doctrine + of + [abstract noun]

用法筆記

Usually refers to the official teachings of a group or institution, not an individual's personal beliefs. Often used with the name of the religion or organization in the pattern 'the [name] doctrine' or '[name] doctrine'.

常見錯誤

❌His personal doctrine is that hard work always pays off.
✅His personal belief is that hard work always pays off.
💡'Doctrine' is reserved for the official teachings of an organization, not an individual's opinion.
❌I learned many doctrines in my philosophy class.
✅I learned many philosophical teachings in my philosophy class.
💡'Doctrine' sounds overly official for a general academic course; 'teachings' or 'concepts' is more natural.

2. An official policy or principle publicly declared by a government or a military

2.名詞C1
釋義

An official policy or principle publicly declared by a government or a military organization, especially in matters of international relations, national defense, or security strategy.

例句

The president announced a new trade doctrine aimed at Asian markets.

announced a new + [domain] + doctrine

Military doctrine shifted after the war toward more defensive strategies.

同義詞
  • policy

    Broader and less formal — applies to any course of action adopted by an organization, not only governments or militaries.

  • principle

    A single guiding rule or value, not a set of strategies; 'doctrine' implies a more comprehensive framework.

  • strategy

    Focused on practical methods for achieving goals, while 'doctrine' emphasizes underlying beliefs and principles.

文法句型

the [Name] Doctrine

under the + [adjective] + doctrine

[domain] doctrine

用法筆記

Frequently capitalized when it names a specific historical policy, such as the Monroe Doctrine or the Truman Doctrine. In military contexts, often refers to an established set of procedures and strategic principles.

常見錯誤

❌The company announced a new marketing doctrine.
✅The company announced a new marketing strategy.
💡'Doctrine' is not used for business or corporate policies; use 'strategy' or 'policy' instead.
❌The doctrine of the school requires uniforms.
✅The school policy requires uniforms.
💡For institutional rules of non-political/non-religious organizations, use 'policy' or 'rule' rather than 'doctrine'.