behavioral

adjective

be·​hav·​ior·​al bi-ˈhā-vyə-rəl 

bē-

1

: of or relating to behavior : pertaining to reactions made in response to social stimuli

behavioral problems

behavioral similarities

Half of all potential guide dogs don't get final clearance because of medical or behavioral issues.

—Cassie Kreitner

2

: relating to or concerned with the social, psychological, and emotional factors that affect financial decisions and behavior

behavioral economics

Behavioral finance … holds that financial man—far from the perfect, mechanical trader depicted in textbooks—is a rather neurotic fellow. He follows the crowd, fails to plan ahead and often makes mistakes.

—Roger Lowenstein

behaviorally

bi-ˈhā-vyə-rə-lē 

bē-

adverb

… gradually came to the conclusion that the wild dogs are physically and behaviorally distinct enough to constitute a uniform breed.

—Christine Mlot

Examples of behavioral in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, schools are required by federal law to consider using positive behavioral interventions and supports for students with disabilities whose behavior impedes their or their classmates’ learning. —Nick Sullivan, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Johnson applauds Harris' commitment to hire 14,000 behavioral health care workers in U.S. schools and warns of Trump's statements on withholding federal funding to schools that teach about the history of slavery. —Monica Eng, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024

Smith’s attorneys said the district judge considered additional evidence, including Smith’s behavioral skills. —Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Boundaries may include topics of conversation that are not to be discussed — like someone’s political views or parenting choices — or behavioral expectations, like asking a family member not to drink or yell in your presence. —Fortesa Latifi, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing behavioral

• behavioral modification
• behavioral science
• behavioral therapist
• behavioral therapy
• cognitive behavioral therapy