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

Knowing a cat's telltale signs can also help inform when to approach them and when to give them some alone time, cat behaviorist Jane Ehrlich told USA TODAY. —Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2025

Animal behaviorist Patricia McConnell is a strong believer in what's commonly known as the 3-3-3 rule for giving rescue dogs time to adjust to a new home. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025

Millan is a dog behaviorist, best-selling author and television celebrity. —David Moin, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019

Cognitive scientists, psychologists, behaviorists, and the like have studied these issues and well-documented the problems that these qualms present (see my elaboration at the link here). —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 16 Mar. 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