conduct

verb con·duct \ kən-ˈdəkt also ˈkän-ˌdəkt \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of conduct

transitive verb

1 a : to direct or take part in the operation or management of

conduct an experiment

conduct a business

conduct an investigation

b : to direct the performance of

conduct an orchestra

conduct an opera

c : to lead from a position of command

conduct a siege

conduct a class

2 : to cause (oneself) to act or behave in a particular and especially in a controlled manner

conducted herself in a professional manner

3 : to bring by or as if by leading : guide

conduct tourists through a museum

4 a : to convey in a channel

b : to act as a medium for conveying or transmitting

Metals conduct electricity well.

intransitive verb

1 of a road or passage : to show the way : lead

2 a : to act as leader or director

b : to have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound, or electricity

—

conductibility

play \kən-ˌdək-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

—

conductible

play \kən-ˈdək-tə-bəl\ adjective

See conduct defined for English-language learners

Examples of conduct in a Sentence

The police are conducting an investigation into last week's robbery.
I like the way the company conducts business.
The magazine conducted a survey.
Who will be conducting the meeting?
The committee is expected to conduct hearings in May.
He conducts the choir with great skill and emotion.
conducting the music of Mozart
Our guide slowly conducted us through the museum.
Our guide conducted us along the path.

Recent Examples of conduct from the Web

Perhaps even more importantly, researchers from the university have been conducting studies on the grounds since before it was dedicated in 1934, said Karen Oberhauser, a Clintonville native who has been director of the Arboretum since 2017.

— brian e. clark, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW-Madison Arboretum draws hikers, birders and researchers," 11 May 2018
In addition to Mueller's probe, three congressional committees have been conducting their own Russia investigations.

— erin kelly, USA TODAY, "Thousands of Facebook ads bought by Russians to fool U.S. voters released by Congress," 10 May 2018
For every dollar spent on administering the program, four were saved on unemployment benefits, according to the study conducted by IMPAQ International, a research and evaluation firm in Bethesda, Md.

— sophie quinton, The Christian Science Monitor, "Career guidance may be key to reducing unemployment," 9 May 2018
Israel and Iran have been conducting a shadow war in Syria under the cover of that country’s civil war.

— isabel kershner, New York Times, "Iran Fires Rockets Into Golan Heights From Syria, Israelis Say," 9 May 2018
Investigators began conducting surveillance on Bagshaw last year.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Judge rebukes Baltimore police, says she won't send convicted lieutenant to prison," 9 May 2018
One in four seniors graduating from college feel unprepared to enter the job market, according to a new Study conducted by OnePoll on behalf of GoDaddy.

— tom cooney and crystal faulkner, Cincinnati.com, "College graduates: Tips for securing your financial future," 8 May 2018
This was the focus of our most recent study, conducted with colleagues based in the South Pacific archipelago of New Caledonia, France, Australia and the U.S., and now published in the journal Science Advances.

— Smithsonian, "Scientists Have a New Way of Knowing How Many Sharks Are in the Sea," 4 May 2018
Best of the rest Facebook has been conducting market research to determine whether people would pay for an ad-free subscription version.

— lara o'reilly, WSJ, "CMO Today: Google GDPR Consent Tool’s Vendor Restrictions; YouTube Brandcast; NBCU Measures TV Ads on Outcomes," 4 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'conduct.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of conduct

see ²conduct

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

See Words from the same year

conduct Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of conduct

conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate. conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

- conducted negotiations

manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

- manages a meat market

control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

- controlling his appetite

direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

- directs the store's day-to-day business

synonyms see in addition behave

conduct

noun con·duct \ ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt \

Definition of conduct

1 : a mode or standard of personal behavior especially as based on moral principles

questionable conduct

2 : the act, manner, or process of carrying on : management

praised for his conduct of the campaign

3 obsolete : escort, guide

See conduct defined for English-language learners

See conduct defined for kids

Examples of conduct in a Sentence

A panel investigated her conduct and she was subsequently fired.
the President was happy to leave the conduct of foreign affairs to his secretary of state