behavior
noun
be·hav·ior
bi-ˈhā-vyər 
bē-
1
: the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves (see behave sense 1)
We were grateful for the gracious behavior of our hostess.
The children were rewarded for good behavior.
Be on your best behavior.
also
: an instance of such behavior
unacceptable social behaviors
2
a
: the manner of conducting (see conduct entry 1 sense 2) oneself
criminal behavior
normal adolescent behavior
b
: anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
c
: the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
They are studying the behavior of elephants in the wild.
3
: the way in which something functions or operates
They tested the behavior of various metals under heat and pressure.
Examples of behavior in a Sentence
I'm surprised by her bad behavior toward her friends.
Students will be rewarded for good behavior.
scientists studying the behavior of elephants
An acceptable social behavior in one country may be unacceptable in another country.
Doctors are trying to educate people about behaviors that can put them at increased risk for skin cancer.
The experiment tested the behavior of various metals under heat and pressure.
Recent Examples on the Web
The women allege a longstanding pattern of such behavior.
—
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 June 2025
When Manford reported the incident, a supervisor allegedly laughed at her and did not report the behavior to human resources, the lawsuit claims.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
This is when trauma impairs emotional regulation and thinking, causing repetitive, distressing behaviors.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This part of the prompt, known as a system prompt, is intended to shape the overall behavior of the large language model, or LLM, the technology behind AI bots like ChatGPT.
—Brandon Roberts, ProPublica, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for behavior
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 7 June 2025
When Manford reported the incident, a supervisor allegedly laughed at her and did not report the behavior to human resources, the lawsuit claims.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 6 June 2025
This is when trauma impairs emotional regulation and thinking, causing repetitive, distressing behaviors.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
This part of the prompt, known as a system prompt, is intended to shape the overall behavior of the large language model, or LLM, the technology behind AI bots like ChatGPT.
—Brandon Roberts, ProPublica, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for behavior
Cite this Entry
“Behavior.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behavior. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
behavior
noun
be·hav·ior
bi-ˈhā-vyər
1
: the way in which one conducts oneself
2
: the way in which something (as a machine) behaves
3
: anything that a living being does that involves action and response to stimulation
Medical Definition
behavior
noun
be·hav·ior
variants
or chiefly British behaviour
1
: the manner of conducting oneself
2
a
: anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation
b
: the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment
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