doctrine

n.	1.	Teaching; instruction. He taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken. - Mark iv. 2.
	2.	That which is taught; what is held, put forth as true, and supported by a teacher, a school, or a sect; a principle or position, or the body of principles, in any branch of knowledge; any tenet or dogma; a principle of faith; as, the doctrine of atoms; the doctrine of chances. Articles of faith and doctrine. - Hooker. The Monroe doctrine (Politics) a policy enunciated by President Monroe (Message, Dec. 2, 1823), the essential feature of which is that the United States will regard as an unfriendly act any attempt on the part of European powers to extend their systems on this continent, or any interference to oppress, or in any manner control the destiny of, governments whose independence had been acknowledged by the United States. Unpracticed he to fawn or seek for power By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour. - Goldsmith.

Noun

1.

doctrine - a belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative by some group or school Synonyms: ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought

Athanasian Creed, Catechism, Nicene Creed, a belief, article of faith, articles of faith, articles of religion, axiom, basic, canon, concept, conviction, credenda, credo, creed, faith, fundamental, idea, instruction, maxim, opinion, orthodoxy, postulate, proposition, religion, religious belief, religious faith, system of beliefs, theology, theory, thesis, tradition