behavioral

adjective

be·​hav·​ior·​al bi-ˈhā-vyə-rəl 

bē-

1

: of or relating to behavior : pertaining to reactions made in response to social stimuli

behavioral problems

behavioral similarities

Half of all potential guide dogs don't get final clearance because of medical or behavioral issues.

—Cassie Kreitner

2

: relating to or concerned with the social, psychological, and emotional factors that affect financial decisions and behavior

behavioral economics

Behavioral finance … holds that financial man—far from the perfect, mechanical trader depicted in textbooks—is a rather neurotic fellow. He follows the crowd, fails to plan ahead and often makes mistakes.

—Roger Lowenstein

behaviorally

bi-ˈhā-vyə-rə-lē 

bē-

adverb

… gradually came to the conclusion that the wild dogs are physically and behaviorally distinct enough to constitute a uniform breed.

—Christine Mlot

Examples of behavioral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over the next decade and a half, political leaders enthusiastically embraced the idea, adopting behavioral-science solutions to far-reaching public-policy problems. —Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 19 Feb. 2026

The health center offers primary care, pediatrics and behavioral health services to everyone regardless of their circumstances, said Neighborhood Healthcare spokesperson David Oates. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

When essential services like maternity, emergency or behavioral health care become unprofitable, private systems may reduce or discontinue them. —Shane Strum, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026

Hiring standards reinforce that belief, with background checks, drug testing, and strict behavioral expectations in place to recruit technicians who embody the company’s service ethos. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing behavioral

• behavioral modification
• behavioral science
• behavioral therapist
• behavioral therapy
• cognitive behavioral therapy

Rhymes for behavioral

• behavioural
• biobehavioral
• neurobehavioral