Definition of "behavior" []

• The manner in which one behaves. (noun)
• The actions or reactions of a person or animal in response to external or internal stimuli. (noun)
• One of these actions or reactions: "a hormone . . . known to directly control sex-specific reproductive and parenting behaviors in a wide variety of vertebrates” ( Thomas Maugh II). (noun)
• The manner in which something functions or operates: the faulty behavior of a computer program; the behavior of dying stars. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "One should remember that such diversity in behavior is beneficial when those with particular inclinations criticize another."
• "When a certain behavior is associated with one group, members of that group may take pains to avoid proving society's generalization."
• "It also teaches them that certain behavior is not appropriate around others."