behavior

noun be·hav·ior \ bi-ˈhā-vyər , bē- \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: behavior in a Sentence

Definition of behavior

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

In a report unveiled Thursday, the Secret Service offered schools guidance on spotting suspicious behavior and figuring out when and how to intervene.

— kevin johnson, USA TODAY, "Secret Service urges U.S. schools to set up 'threat teams' to prevent shootings," 12 July 2018
The book is a guide to understanding behavior and to changing it, if desired.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Write Stuff: Charles Monagan Kicks Off CT Authors Trail, Avon's Author Fest Continues," 11 July 2018
Chris and Marilyn don't condone their son's behavior.

— emma kate fittes, Indianapolis Star, "A Carmel High School student's suicide raises questions over how schools discipline kids," 11 July 2018
Harford’s behavior shows how new workplace problems continue to crop up at Uber amid scrutiny of whether its corporate culture is changing.

— mike isaac, BostonGlobe.com, "At Uber, new questions arise about executive behavior," 14 July 2018
News of Mosley’s behavior sparked a wave of criticism from public officials and others.

— scott berson, sacbee, "Lawmaker caught driving 97 mph told deputy he had ‘immunity.’ Was he right?," 13 July 2018
Some Walmart workers have previously pushed back on the company's surveillance and efforts to regulate employee behavior.

— jason silverstein, CBS News, "Walmart patents audio surveillance technology to record customers and employees," 13 July 2018
In both cases, the body senses danger and behavior normally follows which would terminate the stimulus.

— aaron gilbreath, Longreads, "Some Like It Hot," 12 July 2018
Tuesday night’s altercation at the airport is one of many negative headlines to be linked to Jones’ off-the-field behavior over the course of his career.

— PEOPLE.com, "NFL Star Pacman Jones Knocks Down Airport Worker Who Attacked Him on Video," 12 July 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.