behavior

[ 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 be·hav·iors. a behavior pattern.
4. the action or reaction of any material under given circumstances:

   the behavior of tin under heat.

behavior

/ 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.

Other Words From

• be·hav·ior·al adjective
• in·ter·be·hav·ior 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

The way the documentary finds harmony between the humor of the characters’ unexpected behavior and the sensitive issues it tackles struck Danson and Schur.

From Los Angeles Times

Ravines — which line both sides of the winding roads in Las Posas Estates and Camarillo Heights — are particularly dangerous, said Kyle Ferris, fire behavior analyst with the Mountain Incident Command Team.

From Los Angeles Times

They have a remarkable tolerance for crass and bullying behavior, care little for empathy and ethics, and are incapable of weighing basic facts about public life.

From Salon

The House of Representatives, though, is likely continuing the probe into Gaetz’s behavior: As of Wednesday, the House Ethics Committee was still reviewing allegations of sexual misconduct against the congressman.

From Slate

Student Joel Mata acknowledged that Perez’s recent behavior “is not to be dismissed,” but asked school board members to focus on students’ testimony of his character.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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