behavior

especially British, be·hav·iour

[bih-heyv-yer]

noun

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.

behavior

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.

Other Word Forms

• behavioral adjective
• interbehavior noun

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

Idioms and Phrases

see on one's best behavior.

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.

Example Sentences

Scientists had observed this strange magnetic switching behavior in experiments since around 2020 but could not explain why it happened and why the effect was so strong.

From Science Daily

At the White House announcement, Bourla said: “Tariffs are the most powerful tool to motivate behavior,” he said, “and clearly motivated ours.”

From Los Angeles Times

Around the state, the consequences of immigration raids have shown up this year not just in the emotions of children and teens, but in their behavior.

From Los Angeles Times

Their talent for justifying any behavior is what made them stars.

From Salon

Almost daily headlines here highlight instances of alleged graft, nepotism and other questionable behavior within Sheinbaum’s ruling circles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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