BEHAVIOR Definition & Meaning

View synonyms for

behavior

[ bih-heyv-yer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

manner of behaving or acting.
Synonyms: , ,
Psychology, Animal Behavior.
1. observable activity in a human or animal.
2. the aggregate of responses to internal and external stimuli.
3. a stereotyped, species-specific activity, as a courtship dance or startle reflex.
Often ��·�󲹱�·��ǰ��. a behavior pattern.
the action or reaction of any material under given circumstances:
the behavior of tin under heat.

behavior

/ ��ĭ-��屹′��ə�� /

The actions displayed by an organism in response to its environment.
One of these actions. Certain animal behaviors (such as nest building) result from instinct , while others (such as hunting) must be learned.
The manner in which a physical system, such as a gas, subatomic particle, or ecosystem, acts or functions, especially under specified conditions.

Discover More

Other 51�Թ� Forms

��·�󲹱�·��ǰ�·�� adjective
��·�ٱ��·��·�󲹱�·��ǰ� noun

Discover More

51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of behavior¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; behave ( def ) + -ior (on model of havior, variant of havor, from Middle French (h)avoir “a having,” ultimately from Latin �󲹲�ŧ�� “to have”); replacing late Middle English behavoure, behaver; -or ¹( def )

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

see on one's best behavior .

Discover More

Synonym Study

Behavior, conduct, deportment, comportment refer to one's actions before or toward others, especially on a particular occasion. Behavior refers to actions usually measured by commonly accepted standards: His behavior at the party was childish. Conduct refers to actions viewed collectively, especially as measured by an ideal standard: Conduct is judged according to principles of ethics. Deportment is behavior related to a code or to an arbitrary standard: Deportment is guided by rules of etiquette. The teacher gave Susan a mark of B in deportment. Comportment is behavior as viewed from the standpoint of one's management of one's own actions: His comportment was marked by a quiet assurance.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

After all of his worry on the entire trip and all of his criminal behavior, he will be another wealthy, middle-aged white man who somehow avoids hard time.

From

The dialogue he wrote for Benjamin in the final version of the script feels more naturalistic, he thinks, because it was directly referencing his daughter and son’s behaviors and reactions.

From

But with Bing, whom the filmmakers treat as a genuine co-star worthy of close-ups, contemplation and authentic dog behavior, Watts finds another rich vein of emotion to dramatize with delicacy, humor and intelligent vulnerability.

From

So this isn't really about "trade" at least as it's commonly defined, as we can see with his behavior toward Mexico and Canada.

From

Her behavior on camera was "provocative and, like, lusty," she admitted, but she said she was "not drunk, not high, not on anything" when it was filmed.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse