behaviour

• behavior (US)
• behavoure, behavier, behavor, behavour (obsolete)

From behave +‎ -iour, apparently in simulation of haviour, havior, havour. Compare Scots havings (“behaviour”), from have (“to behave”).

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /bɪˈheɪvjə/
• Rhymes: -eɪviə(ɹ)

behaviour (usually uncountable, plural behaviours) (British spelling, Canadian, Australian spelling, South African spelling and New Zealand spelling)

1. The way a living creature behaves or acts.

   She can't stop the strange behaviour because she has OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).

   • 2014, A teacher, "Choosing a primary school: a teacher's guide for parents", The Guardian, 23 September 2014:

     Teachers will probably be on their best behaviour for your visit – but don't be upset if they don't even notice you; they've got enough going on.

2. The way a device or system operates.

• Adjectives often applied to "behaviour" include: human, animal, physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, organizational, corporate, social, collective, parental, interpersonal, sexual, criminal, appropriate, inappropriate, correct, incorrect, right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, poor, ethical, unethical, moral, immoral, responsible, irresponsible, normal, odd, deviant, abnormal, violent, abusive, aggressive, offensive, defensive, rude, stupid, undesirable, verbal, nonverbal, learned, professional, unprofessional, adaptive, compulsive, questionable, assertive, disgusting, self-destructive, trained, expected, unexpected, public, private, observed, guided, rewarded, punished, childish, mature, acceptable, unacceptable, encouraged, positive, chosen, personal, lawful, illegal, impulsive, measured, shameful, dangerous, regretful, unacceptable, inappropriate, socially-acceptable, online, desirable, undesirable, promptedsardae

• human behaviour

• "behaviour" in Raymond Williams, Keywords (revised), 1983, Fontana Press, page 43.