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behave

verb
be·​have | \ bi-ˈhāv How to pronounce behave (audio) , bē-\
behaved; behaving

Definition of behave

transitive verb

1 : to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way
2 : to conduct (oneself) in a proper manner getting children to behave themselves

intransitive verb

1 : to act, function, or react in a particular way He behaves like a child. testing how various metals behave under heat and pressure
2 : to conduct oneself properly Please behave.
Other Words from behave Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about behave

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Other Words from behave

behaver noun

Choose the Right Synonym for behave

behave, conduct, deport, comport, acquit mean to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way. behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous. the children behaved in church conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself. conducted herself with unfailing good humor deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety. the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position. comported themselves as gentlemen acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations. acquitted herself well in her first assignment

Examples of behave in a Sentence

If you can't behave in the store we'll have to leave. If you can't behave yourself in the store we'll have to leave. I wish those children would behave themselves. He behaves like a child! The experiment tested how various metals behave under heat and pressure.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 Moments before, neighbors had noticed McDonald behaving nervously and erratically outside the home, witnesses told police. — Daily Pilot, "Laguna Beach man is charged with murder in death of his ‘devoted’ mother," 20 Aug. 2019 Pitchers not only have to work harder to make their pitches behave at 5,280 feet, but physical recovery also takes extra time. — Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post, "Wade Davis’ steep decline is a riddle the Rockies must solve," 20 Aug. 2019 Researchers studied spider populations before and after the storms, noting which colonies were behaving aggressively. — Morgan Hines, USA TODAY, "Hurricanes are making spiders more aggressive: It's rapid evolution at work, study says," 20 Aug. 2019 German police say 34 people have been injured in scooter accidents just since mid-June, saying most were due to riders behaving carelessly. — Angela Charlton, chicagotribune.com, "Love Chicago’s scooters? Loathe them? Here’s how major European cities are dealing with them.," 15 Aug. 2019 Maybe Serena should have behaved differently…and the chair umpire should have used more discretion. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "Mailbag: Can Serena Williams Win the U.S. Open?," 14 Aug. 2019 Shortly afterward, a dispatch call notified deputies and Milwaukee Police of a person on foot who was behaving erratically and mentioned being in a freeway crash. — William Langhorne, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Arrest made in shooting near I-94 off-ramp at Hawley Road," 6 Aug. 2019 Merritt said in an Instagram post that the officer hadn’t behaved according to proper procedure. — Serena O'sullivan, azcentral, "Fundraiser held for teen from Arizona fatally shot by a police officer in California," 20 July 2019 Dublin police are conducting an investigation at the Wave, but so far investigators have found no information indicating that Happ behaved inappropriately with children in his duties as a swim instructor, Schmidt said. — Pete Grieve, SFChronicle.com, "Dublin swim instructor arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography," 17 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'behave.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of behave

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for behave

Middle English behaven, from be- be- + haven "to have entry 1, hold"

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More Definitions for behave

behave

verb
How to pronounce behave (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of behave

: to act in an acceptable way : to act properly
: to act in a particular way
of a thing : to function, react, or move in a particular way

See the full definition for behave in the English Language Learners Dictionary

behave

verb
be·​have | \ bi-ˈhāv How to pronounce behave (audio) \
behaved; behaving

Kids Definition of behave

1 : to act in a particular manner The children behaved well at the party.
2 : to act in a proper or acceptable way Tell them to behave.
3 : to act or function in a particular way We're studying how metals behave under pressure.

behave

verb
be·​have | \ bi-ˈhāv How to pronounce behave (audio) \
behaved; behaving

Medical Definition of behave

transitive verb

: to bear or conduct (oneself) in a particular way

intransitive verb

: to act, function, or react in a particular way

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