behavior

noun be·hav·ior \ bi-ˈhā-vyər , bē- \

Updated on: 24 Apr 2018

1 : the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves (see behave 1)

We were grateful for the gracious behavior of our hostess.

The children were rewarded for good behavior.

Be on your best behavior.

; also : an instance of such behavior

unacceptable social behaviors

2 a : the manner of conducting (see ¹conduct 2) oneself

criminal behavior

normal adolescent behavior

b : anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation

c : the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment

They are studying the behavior of elephants in the wild.

3 : the way in which something functions or operates

They tested the behavior of various metals under heat and pressure.

—

behavioral

play \-vyə-rəl\ adjective

—

behaviorally

play \-rə-lē\ adverb

See behavior defined for English-language learners

See behavior defined for kids

Examples of behavior in a Sentence

I'm surprised by her bad behavior toward her friends.
Students will be rewarded for good behavior.
scientists studying the behavior of elephants
An acceptable social behavior in one country may be unacceptable in another country.
Doctors are trying to educate people about behaviors that can put them at increased risk for skin cancer.
The experiment tested the behavior of various metals under heat and pressure.

Recent Examples of behavior from the Web

Students also sat through a fire behavior simulator with flames rolling over their heads.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin firefighters invite government officials to see impact of decisions about staffing, spending," 21 Apr. 2018
Johnson's supervisor and other state employees, who, like Johnson, held positions with the state employees union, testified to Johnson's history of harassing and inappropriate behavior.

— paul egan, Detroit Free Press, "Female officers face widespread sexual harassment in Michigan's prison system," 21 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, Coppernose assumes only the most base and destructive behavior from his park patrons.

— lynda clark, Smithsonian, "How Charles Dickens Imagined a Westworld-like Robot Theme Park Back In 1838," 21 Apr. 2018
Milwaukee Washington coach Freddie Riley, who has provided positive reviews of Long's performance in school and behavior since the incident, spoke on his behalf to Colon on Friday.

— mark stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Basketball standout Deontay Long receives jail time for role in armed robbery," 20 Apr. 2018
In 2015, then-FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler put through a rule giving the commission the authority to regulate such behavior.

— michael hiltzik, latimes.com, "California's plan to protect net neutrality will shield consumers from telecom bullies," 20 Apr. 2018
As Tristan's behavior grew more erratic, her parents started caring for her son, Bryce, in their own Rocky Ripple home.

— shari rudavsky, Indianapolis Star, "The opioid crisis ‘silver lining’: A heroin overdose that killed 1 mom, saved 4 lives," 19 Apr. 2018
One estranged relative, Louise’s sister, Teresa Robinette, described some of the couple’s rebellious behavior during an interview with Megyn Kelly in January.

— chris harris, PEOPLE.com, "House of Horrors Parents: What We Know About David and Louise Turpin, Accused in Abuse of 13 Children," 19 Apr. 2018
Here’s some of the problematic history — and continuing problematic behavior —that Ansip, not to mention US regulators, might want to zero in on: Remember how annoying the days of unfettered apps on Facebook were?

— cynthia lee, Vox, "Your Facebook friends could be leaving you vulnerable to major privacy invasions," 18 Apr. 2018

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