behavior

noun

be·hav·ior | \ bi-ˈhā-vyər

, bē- \

Definition of behavior

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

2a : the manner of conducting (see conduct entry 1 sense 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.

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about behavior

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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 on the Web But Cardona’s behavior deteriorated rapidly during that first year with Duarte. — Usha Lee Mcfarling, STAT, 7 June 2021 Possibly not, in cases where tax breaks incentivized companies toward worthy behavior. — Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 7 June 2021 Sports is often a bellwether for society, and to a point, extreme behavior is ingrained in fandom. — Arkansas Online, 7 June 2021 The penalty comes as the tech giant faces multiple US suits over anti-competitive behavior and could lead to similar agreements with officials elsewhere. — Hanna Ziady, CNN, 7 June 2021 Nuking the filibuster for nominations has sharpened polarization in the Senate and encouraged more envelope-pushing behavior from both majorities and minorities. — Fred Bauer, National Review, 7 June 2021 The French authority spent about a year investigating the case brought by News Corp, and presented antitrust charges last year describing Google’s allegedly infringing behavior, the authority said. — Sam Schechner, WSJ, 7 June 2021 Sports is often a bellwether for society, and to a point, extreme behavior is ingrained in fandom — hence the term fanatic. — New York Times, 7 June 2021 Police officers, many in riot gear, descended on popular Washington Square Park on Saturday night to clear it out after the recent enactment of a 10 p.m. weekend curfew, which city officials implemented citing rowdy behavior in the park. — Ben Kesslen, NBC News, 6 June 2021

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.