behaves; behaved; behaving
1
: to act in an acceptable way : to act properly
If you can't behave in the store we'll have to leave.
If you can't behave yourself in the store we'll have to leave.
I wish those children would behave themselves.
2
: to act in a particular way
He behaves like a child!
behave well/generously
3
of a thing
: to function, react, or move in a particular way
The experiment tested how various metals behave under heat and pressure.
Cite this Entry
“Behave.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/behave. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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