disciplinarian

noun
dis·​ci·​pli·​nar·​i·​an | \ ˌdi-sə-plə-ˈner-ē-ən How to pronounce disciplinarian (audio) \

Definition of disciplinarian

: one who disciplines or enforces order

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Other Words from disciplinarian

disciplinarian adjective

Examples of disciplinarian in a Sentence

The school's principal is a strict disciplinarian.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mayock describes his father as a strong, silent disciplinarian who told players the truth. Jerry Mcdonald, The Mercury News, "Mayock and Gruden’s mirror images in football philosophy began with burgers and beer," 22 Aug. 2019 Popular for being a lax disciplinarian and easy grader, Brouillard often kept a camera strapped around his neck. Washington Post, "Guam’s ex-archbishop shielded culture of clergy sex abuse," 10 Aug. 2019 Mom was the disciplinarian, dad had a softer approach. NBC News, "11 brothers from Alabama, 158 years of U.S. military service," 31 July 2019 His father was his first and best coach, Cone says, a disciplinarian whose style was closer to Bobby Knight and Earl Weaver than your average Little League skipper. Matt Martell, SI.com, "As MLB Continues to Evolve, So Does David Cone," 18 July 2019 That the term doesn’t exist says less about mothers’ senses of humor, which are just as corny as fathers’, than about restrictive gender roles that cast women as humorless disciplinarians. Jason Zinoman, New York Times, "A Dad Defends Dad Jokes," 12 June 2019 The school’s disciplinarian back then, the great Jeannette Jones, who died in December, was so strict even parents could be scared of her. Danny Westneat, The Seattle Times, "‘Up there to humiliate:’ Seattle school’s detention list sparks debate about shaming," 30 Mar. 2019 His father was chief deputy of detectives for the Chicago Police Department and a disciplinarian who insisted Gen. Healy and his three brothers eat at the dinner table in coat and tie, seated on the edge of their chairs. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, "Michael Healy, Army major general who led Green Berets in Vietnam, dies at 91," 23 Apr. 2018 Parents get so used to being the boss and the teacher and the disciplinarian and the banker and the manners-minder that sometimes just enjoying your kid gets pushed off the schedule. Carolyn Hax, The Seattle Times, "Frustrated parent needs to just enjoy silent, challenging son," 9 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disciplinarian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of disciplinarian

1639, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for disciplinarian

disciplin(ary) + -arian

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More Definitions for disciplinarian

disciplinarian

noun

English Language Learners Definition of disciplinarian

: a person who is very strict about punishing bad behavior : a person who uses discipline as a way of making sure that rules or orders are obeyed