behavior

noun

be·​hav·​ior bi-ˈhā-vyər 

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.

Synonyms

• actions
• address
• bearing
• comportment
• conduct
• demeanor
• deportment
• geste [archaic]
• gest

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

Each former inmate who enrolls in the program, which lasts a year or more, must go through Moral Recognition Therapy, a 12-step type program that aims to reduce recidivism by changing one’s criminal behavior patterns. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024

Uniqlo is now taking advantage of those changing consumer behaviors to become the latest hot clothing brand for young shoppers. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune Europe, 22 Apr. 2024

What if they’re kicked out of a shelter because of their behavior? —USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

The incentive-compensation rules, long resisted by the financial industry, are meant to curb risky behavior by forcing executives and other prominent employees to wait longer to cash out their bonuses. —Lydia Beyoud, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024

Victimology, or studying the victim to gain insight into the perpetrator’s behavior, is also an important component of forensic science. —Christian Mysliwiec, Fox News, 20 Apr. 2024

Apple has introduced greater restrictions on the types of tracking that companies could do across its devices, severely curtailing Meta’s ability to gain insights into user behavior for its digital advertising business. —Mike Isaac, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Primatologists use Elo ratings to model social-dominance behaviors. —Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024

At the zoo:Indianapolis Zoo reveals name of baby rhino Cheetahs also showed signs of nighttime behavior by pacing at the highest point in their grassy yard. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024

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

Phrases Containing behavior

• behavior modification
• behavior therapy
• cognitive behavior therapy
• for good behavior
• on one's best behavior
• on their best behavior

Kids Definition

behavior

noun

be·​hav·​ior bi-ˈhā-vyər 

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

-vyə-rəl 

adjective

Medical Definition

behavior

noun

be·​hav·​ior

variants or chiefly British behaviour

bi-ˈhā-vyər 

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

-vyə-rəl 

behaviorally adverb

or chiefly British behaviourally

-rə-lē