What does the word behavior mean
Behavior Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Example Sentences
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Power grids, ecosystems, global climate and our own behavior are all examples of such complex systems.
Joe Bak-coleman, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2022 In her first media interview about her experience, Massa told the Globe that Foresteire’s behavior was an open secret within the schools. Stephanie Ebbert, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Nov. 2022 If behavior at school is a problem, the kids pay for it on the field — push-ups, sprints, extra laps. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2022 Just to be clear, socially responsible corporate behavior is something to which the GOP is very much opposed. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 9 Nov. 2022 According to Hancock, that time scale indicates the behavior is almost reflexive in nature, likening the strikes to the act of swallowing, which involves coordinating several small muscles.
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 1 Nov. 2022 But not everyone is convinced the behavior is in fact play. Byerik Stokstad, science.org, 27 Oct. 2022 The problem was that Orja Corns’ behavior wasn’t consistent with someone who is planning not to be around. Ron Grossman, Chicago Tribune, 23 Oct. 2022 Though all eyes should have been on the bride and groom, pal Matt Smith's drunken behavior was one of the day's most unforgettable moments. Jacqueline Weiss, Peoplemag, 19 Oct. 2022 See More
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'behavior.
' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
See more words from the same century
Dictionary Entries Near
behaviorbehave
behavior
behavioral
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Cite this Entry
Style
MLAChicagoAPAMerriam-Webster
“Behavior.
” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behavior. Accessed 3 Dec. 2022.
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Kids Definition
behavior
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
be·hav·ior
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
More from Merriam-Webster on
behaviorNglish: Translation of behavior for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of behavior for Arabic Speakers
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary
Examples of behavior
behavior
So you just have to be on your best behavior unfortunately.
From New York Daily News
And he repeats this public behavior so frequently that it's fair to call it a character trait.
From The Atlantic
The suspect was known to police for violent behavior, local media say.
From Huffington Post
Four minutes in, second period was down to 10 good behavior points.
From The Atlantic
That dirtbag behavior didn't end when it came to the music, either.
From The Verge
It will continue growing due to the behavior of religious people.
From CNN
But at the same she didn't want to encourage the behavior of, like, dragging a bloody mouse into the bedroom.
From NPR
It's escalating dangerous behavior and it should be taken very seriously.
From NPR
We should not wait to teach these skills until verbally or physically violent behavior has become habitual and, often, life-threatening.
From Slate Magazine
The onboard surveillance systems are also a deterrent for crime and unruly behavior.
From NJ.com
But the opposite is also true: knowing about negative behavior doesn't make it any better, either.
From The Verge
The latter would suggest that tool use is essentially a heritable behavior, passed down through genetics rather than socialization.
From Ars Technica
These examples are from corpora and from sources on the web.
Any opinions in the examples do not represent the opinion of the Cambridge Dictionary editors or of Cambridge University Press or its licensors.
What is the pronunciation of behavior?
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Behavior what is povedenie the meaning of the word, Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov
Skip navigation The meaning of the word "Behavior" in the Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov.
What is behavior? Find out what the word povedenie means - the interpretation of the word, the designation of the word, the definition of the term, its lexical meaning and description.
Behavior
Behavior - BEHAVIOR, behavior, pl. no, cf. A set of deeds and actions, a way of life. Impeccable behaviour. line of conduct.
Explanatory Dictionary of Ushakov
Mode of action. "My behavior, I know, is inexcusably rude." A. Turgenev.
Compliance with established internal regulations in schools. Excellent behaviour.
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Behavior in other dictionaries:
Behavior
- The interaction inherent in living beings with the environment, including their motor activity and orientation in relation to this ... Encyclopedic Dictionary
Behavior
- Way of life and activities. Ozhegov Dictionary
Behavior
- Behavior - goal-oriented activity of an animal organism, which serves to establish contact with the outside world. At the heart of p... Psychological dictionary
Behavior
- Global body response to pathogen.Behavior is what is objectively observed in the reaction of the individual, regardless of his m... and 3 more definitions Philosophical Dictionary
Behavior
- - English behavior; German Verhalten. 1. The process of interaction of living beings with the environment, associated with their external (movement ... and 3 more definitions Sociological Dictionary
Behavior
- - interaction of the subject with the environment, mediated by external (motor) and internal (mental) activity; in p... Political Dictionary
behavior
- With a positive assessment.Impeccable, blameless, immaculate (obsolete), well-behaved (obsolete), decent, prudent ... Dictionary of epithets
Related concepts:
- Arakcheev Alexey Andreevich
- Volkonskaya Maria Nikolaevna
- Gorbunov Ivan Fedorovich
- Mikhail Fedorovich Romanov
- Nikita Pustosvyat
- Fedotov Pavel Andreevich
- Analysis Motivational
- Weber Alfred (1868-1958)
- Course Economic Flexible
- Homanson model
"Tell
Behaved"
Behavior.
What is "Behaviour"? The concept and definition of the term "Behavior" - Glossary Glossary. Psychological dictionary.
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Behavior - the external and internal activity of the subject, manifested in his interaction with the environment. Due to the diversity of the field of study, there are various classifications of behavior - depending on what type of activity is involved - instinctive, sexual, adaptive, and so on. Behavior is sometimes perceived as synonymous with action, however, despite some similarities, the two concepts have a number of differences, chief among which is the fact that behavior can be observed. Due to the fact that behavior is amenable to practical observation, it is the subject of study of many sciences.
In particular, psychology for a long time was called the science of behavior, but later expanded the range of issues covered, going beyond the term "behavior". At the present stage, behavioral therapy (behavioral) is actively practiced, which is based on the theory that some mental disorders are caused by the fact that certain skills were incorrectly formed. This method of therapy became widespread at the beginning of the 20th century with the development of the theory of behaviorism, although its main elements have been known since ancient times. Behavioral therapy is used to treat phobias, addictions, and some behavioral disorders. Such therapy consists of several stages - analysis of behavior, determination of methods for correcting behavior and their gradual training, and then the implementation of these behavioral settings in real life. Thus, the essence of behavioral therapy is not to establish the root causes, but to competently change the behavior model.
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