deportment

noun

de·port·ment | \ di-ˈpȯrt-mənt

, dē-\

Definition of deportment

: the manner in which one conducts (see conduct entry 1 sense 2) oneself : behavior were instructed in proper dress and deportment His features are strong and masculine …, all his motions graceful, and his deportment majestic.— Jonathan Swift

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Choose the Right Synonym for deportment

bearing, deportment, demeanor, mien, manner, carriage mean the outward manifestation of personality or attitude. bearing is the most general of these words but now usually implies characteristic posture. a woman of regal bearing deportment suggests actions or behavior as formed by breeding or training. your deportment was atrocious demeanor suggests one's attitude toward others as expressed in outward behavior. the haughty demeanor of the headwaiter mien is a literary term referring both to bearing and demeanor. a mien of supreme self-satisfaction manner implies characteristic or customary way of moving and gesturing and addressing others. the imperious manner of a man used to giving orders carriage applies chiefly to habitual posture in standing or walking. the kind of carriage learned at boarding school

Did You Know?

Deportment evolved from the verb deport, meaning "to behave especially in accord with a code," which in turn came to us through Middle French from Latin "deportare," meaning "to carry away." (You may also know "deport" as a verb meaning "to send out of the country"; that sense is newer and is derived directly from Latin "deportare.") Deportment can simply refer to one's demeanor, or it can refer to behavior formed by breeding or training and often conforming to conventional rules of propriety: "Are you not gratified that I am so rapidly gaining correct ideas of female propriety and sedate deportment?" wrote 17-year-old Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin.

Examples of deportment in a Sentence

The new students were instructed in proper dress and deportment. His stiff deportment matched his strict demeanor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Zakiullah Storay, head of the health deportment in the province, said the facility was important, with 20 beds for people living in the rural area. — Fox News, "Afghan official says insurgents burned down clinic," 14 June 2018 Inman’s was the first driving licence in Atlanta—1930s records warbling away, and the cook’s handwritten memos to self (correct deportment at the dinner table as well as menus) scattered around her kitchen. — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, "A Visit to Atlanta's Historic Swan House, Where Whimsy and Chintz Still Reign," 27 Apr. 2018 And then there was Monty Not that the internationals hold a patent on pleasant deportment. — Bill Livingston, cleveland.com, "WGC-Bridgestone Invitational: Goodbye to a tournament with global appeal - Bill Livingston (photos)," 12 Apr. 2018 Sure, that’s what America is craving, lessons in morality and social deportment from some of the most privileged, narcissistic people in the entire country. — Mick Lasalle, San Francisco Chronicle, "Ask Mick LaSalle: Were intimate scenes of Jennifer Lawrence in ‘Red Sparrow’ prurient?," 28 Mar. 2018 To play Midge, Brosnahan consulted a stack of vintage Good Housekeeping magazines, clipping articles about wifely deportment. — Alexis Soloski, idahostatesman, "Did you hear the one about the housewife who walks into a comedy club?," 7 Jan. 2018 The vets were disciplined, rarely missed class, and were exemplary in their academic deportment. — Charles L. Geshekter, WSJ, "Is There a ‘Hispanic Perspective’ on Historical Banana Cultivation?," 21 Aug. 2017 Last week, former presidents George W. Bush, a Republican, and Barack Obama, a Democrat, both indirectly rebuked Trump's deportment and warned of peril for the nation under his watch, as did Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz. — The Washington Post, cleveland.com, "GOP senators issue blunt warnings on Trump," 24 Oct. 2017 That offhand remark prompted a deeper review of Esquith’s deportment with students and his management of a nonprofit and student field trips. — Howard Blume, latimes.com, "L.A. Unified settles lawsuits with teacher Rafe Esquith," 13 Sep. 2017

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

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More Definitions for deportment

deportment

noun

English Language Learners Definition of deportment

formal : the way that a person behaves, stands, and moves especially in a formal situation

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

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deportment

Definition of deportment

Synonyms for deportment

Choose the Right Synonym for deportment

Did You Know?

Examples of deportment in a Sentence

First Known Use of deportment

History and Etymology for deportment

English Language Learners Definition of deportment

deportment

Definition of deportment

Synonyms for deportment

Choose the Right Synonym for deportment

Did You Know?

Examples of deportment in a Sentence

First Known Use of deportment

History and Etymology for deportment

English Language Learners Definition of deportment

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