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
Nicole Kohanski, a dog behaviorist and trainer, shared her top preflight tips for pet owners with Newsweek.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Giant rats with pouchy cheeks are out here detecting landmines and being literal heroes
This week’s episode features special guest Carly Anne York, an animal behaviorist and physiologist who studies how animals interact with their environments.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025
The turning point came when Sophie's vet prescribed her fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, and Rory and Diane began enlisting the help of dog behaviorist Si Wooler.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
The behaviorist models just don’t work very well for children.
—Nancy L. Weaver, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behaviorist
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Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Giant rats with pouchy cheeks are out here detecting landmines and being literal heroes
This week’s episode features special guest Carly Anne York, an animal behaviorist and physiologist who studies how animals interact with their environments.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 8 Oct. 2025
The turning point came when Sophie's vet prescribed her fluoxetine, also known as Prozac, and Rory and Diane began enlisting the help of dog behaviorist Si Wooler.
—Kirsty Hatcher, PEOPLE, 3 Oct. 2025
The behaviorist models just don’t work very well for children.
—Nancy L. Weaver, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for behaviorist
Cite this Entry
“Behaviorist.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behaviorist. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
behaviorist
1 of 2 noun
be·hav·ior·ist
variants
or chiefly British behaviourist
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
Tom Ewing, Dog Watchbehaviorist
2 of 2 adjective
: of or relating to behaviorism
behaviorist psychology
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