In fact, the earliest known use of discipline appears to be punishment-related; it first was used in the 13th century to refer to chastisement of a religious nature, such as self-flagellation.

Discipline is the self-control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed, and the ability to keep working at something that is difficult. [1] Disciplinarians believe that such self …

DISCIPLINE definition: training to act in accordance with rules; drill. See examples of discipline used in a sentence.

(Definition of discipline from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

If you refer to an activity or situation as a discipline, you mean that, in order to be successful in it, you need to behave in a strictly controlled way and obey particular rules or standards.

When you have discipline, you have self-control. When you discipline children, you are either teaching them to be well-behaved, or you are punishing and correcting them.

DISCIPLINE meaning: 1 : control that is gained by requiring that rules or orders be obeyed and punishing bad behavior; 2 : a way of behaving that shows a willingness to obey rules or orders

(Definition of discipline from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

discipline noun (SELF CONTROL) the ability to control your own behaviour carefully:

[ often reflexive ] You have to learn to discipline yourself. (Definition of discipline from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)