verb (used with object), in·doc·tri·nat·ed, in·doc·tri·nat·ing.
- to instruct in a doctrine, principle, ideology, etc., especially to imbue with a specific partisan or biased belief or point of view.
- to teach or inculcate.
- to imbue with learning.
verb (tr)
- to teach (a person or group of people) systematically to accept doctrines, esp uncritically
- rare to impart learning to; instruct
1620s, “to teach,” from in- (2) “in” + Latin doctrina “teaching” (see doctrine). Meaning “to imbue with an idea or opinion” first recorded 1832. Related: Indoctrinated; indoctrinating. The earlier verb was indoctrine (c.1500).