behavioral

American  

[bih-hayv-yer-uhl] / bɪˈheɪv jər əl /

especially British, behavioural

adjective

1. relating to a person’s manner of behaving or acting.

   The program provides academic and behavioral supports for students of concern.

   Most of our biggest health risks are largely preventable with behavioral change.

2. Psychology, Animal Behavior. relating to or studying observable activity in a human or animal, often thought of as the aggregate of responses to external and internal stimuli.

   This psychiatry textbook offers a thorough discussion of both the behavioral sciences and clinical psychiatry.

   Harassment of wild marine mammals has disrupted their behavioral patterns, including migration, breeding, and feeding.

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Other Word Forms

• interbehavioral
  adjective
• interbehavioural
  adjective
• behaviorally
  adverb
• behaviourally
  adverb
• interbehaviorally
  adverb
• interbehaviourally
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of behavioral

First recorded in 1925–30; behavior ( def. ) + -al ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

behavioral

There are also psychological and behavioral reasons why incessant checking of your portfolio occurs — and why it can be counterproductive.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 9, 2026

Since my longtime therapist’s behavioral approach had already helped rein in my personality enough to quit smoking and drinking, and marry a great guy, I decided to try his suggestion.

From Slate ● Sep. 27, 2026

She said the audit will examine calls from the last five years involving people with “with known histories of mental or behavioral health conditions” in which police officers avoided using force.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

The Lincoln has five chaplains, as well as a counselor, psychologist, clinical social worker, three behavioral health technicians and one dog, Cao said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

“You see there,” said Professor Cumulus, a behavioral specialist—“that twitch. He’s lying.”

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer