noun
behavior
bih-HAY-vyuh
noun
1
The way a person, animal, or system acts, especially in response to a situation.
"The therapist studies behavior to understand anxiety triggers."
"Odd behavior from the software suggested a bug in the code."
How to Use Behavior
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow someone or something acts.
UK vs US
"Behavior" is the American spelling; British English uses "behaviour."
Common pairings
human behavior
behavior pattern
strange behavior
Word Forms
behaviors plural
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The therapist studies _____ to understand anxiety triggers.
Etymology
From Middle English behavour, formed from "behave" plus a suffix borrowed by analogy from the older word "havour" (meaning possessions or conduct), itself from Old French avoir ("to have").