behavior

noun

be·​hav·​ior bi-ˈhā-vyər How to pronounce behavior (audio)
bē-
1
: the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves (see behave sense 1)
We were grateful for the gracious behavior of our hostess.
The children were rewarded for good behavior.
Be on your best behavior.
also : an instance of such behavior
unacceptable social behaviors
2
a
: the manner of conducting (see conduct entry 1 sense 2) oneself
criminal behavior
normal adolescent behavior
b
: anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
c
: the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
They are studying the behavior of elephants in the wild.
3
: the way in which something functions or operates
They tested the behavior of various metals under heat and pressure.

Examples of behavior in a Sentence

I'm surprised by her bad behavior toward her friends. Students will be rewarded for good behavior. scientists studying the behavior of elephants An acceptable social behavior in one country may be unacceptable in another country. Doctors are trying to educate people about behaviors that can put them at increased risk for skin cancer. The experiment tested the behavior of various metals under heat and pressure.
Recent Examples on the Web McAlpin’s White neighbor told him several Black men were staying at a White woman’s home and reported seeing suspicious behavior. Emma Tucker, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Help doesn’t look like just going to therapy, but also practicing vulnerability and learning the skills to develop different behaviors. Essence, 16 Mar. 2024 His teenage son and son’s mother first reported his behavior in May, seeking help. Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 While some of these complaints will mention downright fraudulent behavior, French points out that the industry’s problems start with its structure. Kyle Russell, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 An article on Tuesday about automakers that are sharing consumers’ driving behavior with insurance companies referred imprecisely to Honda’s disclosure of its relationship with Verisk, a data broker. New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 For Gerber, much of Tesla’s stock slide could reverse if Musk adjusted his behavior. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 15 Mar. 2024 Crows may also change their behavior in response to our kindness. Tove Danovich, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2024 By poring through 65 million years of deep-sea sediment records, researchers analyzed Earth’s history of ocean current behavior. Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'behavior.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English behavour, from behaven "to behave" + -our -or entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of behavior was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near behavior

Cite this Entry

“Behavior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behavior. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

behavior

noun
be·​hav·​ior bi-ˈhā-vyər How to pronounce behavior (audio)
1
: the way in which one conducts oneself
2
: the way in which something (as a machine) behaves
3
: anything that a living being does that involves action and response to stimulation
behavioral adjective

Medical Definition

behavior

noun
be·​hav·​ior
variants or chiefly British behaviour
1
: the manner of conducting oneself
2
a
: anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
b
: the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
behavioral adjective
or chiefly British behavioural
behaviorally adverb
or chiefly British behaviourally

More from Merriam-Webster on behavior

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