behavior

American  

[bih-hayv-yer] / bɪˈheɪv jər /

especially British, behaviour

noun

• behaviors
  plural

1. 

   manner of behaving or acting.

   Synonyms:

   carriage, bearing, demeanor

2. 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.

3. Often behaviors. a behavior pattern.

4. the action or reaction of any material under given circumstances.

   the behavior of tin under heat.

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behavior Scientific  

/ bĭ-hāv′yər /

1. The actions displayed by an organism in response to its environment.

2. One of these actions. Certain animal behaviors (such as nest building) result from instinct, while others (such as hunting) must be learned.

3. The manner in which a physical system, such as a gas, subatomic particle, or ecosystem, acts or functions, especially under specified conditions.

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behavior Idioms  

1. see on one's best behavior.

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Synonym Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• interbehavior
  noun
• behavioral
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• behaviors
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of behavior

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 habēre “to have”); replacing late Middle English behavoure, behaver; see -or ¹ ( def. )

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Explanation

Behavior refers to how you conduct yourself. Generally, it’s wise to engage in good behavior, even if you're really bored. The noun behavior is a spin-off of the verb behave. Get rid of the be in behave and you're left with have, which makes sense: you could say that to behave is to "have" or "own" yourself — to control yourself. There's also a broader definition of behavior, which is basically anything any living thing does in any situation. Brushing your teeth? Behavior. Scratching your nose? Behavior. Eating a large antelope because you are a lion and you're hungry? Also behavior.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

behavior behaviors

These receptors are essential to nearly every aspect of ant social behavior.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 28, 2026

The inconsiderate behavior of his fellow flyer made me irritated.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 27, 2026

"We had a work-hard, play-hard mentality," Tal Alexander said, adding he saw how his behavior "hurt people's feelings".

From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026

But RSI can detect subtle changes in behavior that may not be so apparent when just watching price movements.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

She says that a lady always takes responsibility for her behavior.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

To wipe away the negative behaviors, prices would need to make a fresh high above $116.72.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026

Wedgewood’s polls have shaped narratives about the midterm elections, donor behaviors, and voter perceptions and perhaps even votes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026

Underneath these uncannily humanlike behaviors, could AI models also have inner lives and emotions?

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 24, 2026

These behaviors support overall health and may help reduce factors associated with cognitive decline.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

Now that YOU are home, alive and well, you have judged the judgments of others, analyzed their intentions, behaviors, personalities and motivations.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

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Related Words

• act
• action
• attitude
• conduct
• demeanor
• management
• nature
• performance
• practice
• presence
• role
• style

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