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

Cesar Millan, the trainer and behaviorist of The Dog Whisperer, has a simple tip based on his years of experience training canines and being a dog dad to 10. —Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026

The stage was set for marketing to become more interdisciplinary by adopting a scientific consumer-behaviorist perspective. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Apr. 2026

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

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