behaviorist

noun

be·​hav·​ior·​ist bi-ˈhā-vyə-rist 

bē-

1

: a person who advocates or practices behaviorism

2

: a person who specializes in the study of behavior

an animal behaviorist

behaviorist adjective

Examples of behaviorist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If everything checks out there, an accredited behaviorist or dog trainer may be able to assist. —Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 7 Apr. 2026

Retrievers, initially bred for hunting, enjoy hiking and playing fetch, says Joey Morris, animal behaviorist and dog trainer at OverWatch K9 Academy. —Taylor Grothe, Parents, 9 Feb. 2026

Furry Friends volunteers and their pets are carefully screened, and must pass muster as a team after taking a class led by a professional animal behaviorist. —Ethan Baron, Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2025

Stephen Zawistowski, an animal behaviorist with the ASPCA, is a firm believer in that concept. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for behaviorist

• behaviourist

Medical Definition

behaviorist

1 of 2 noun

be·​hav·​ior·​ist

variants or chiefly British behaviourist

-rəst 

1

: a person who advocates or practices behaviorism

2

: a person who specializes in the study of behavior

Animal behaviorists are often consulted regarding such problems as aggression, self-mutilation, food aversion and inappropriate urination or defecation.

—Tom Ewing, Dog Watch

behaviorist

2 of 2 adjective

: of or relating to behaviorism

behaviorist psychology