behavioral science

noun

: a branch of science (such as psychology, sociology, or anthropology) that deals primarily with human action and often seeks to generalize about human behavior in society
behavioral scientist noun

Examples of behavioral science in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In an Instagram video shared by the university, the neuroscientist and professor of bioengineering, psychiatry and behavioral sciences first tells his two daughters Sophie, 10, and Emma, 13, and then his son Hudson. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026 Approaches such as the Early Start Denver Model grew from behavioral science while moving far beyond the highly structured practices of ABA’s earliest decades. — Robin Koncilja, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2026 Meuleman was named global chief planning and intelligence officer and will use evidence, behavioral science and proprietary intelligence to shape how media investments are designed and measured. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026 Getting Started With Behavioral Intelligence Advances in behavioral science, data analytics and AI are making behavioral insight more dynamic, contextual and actionable. — Dr. Jay R. Harrison, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for behavioral science

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of behavioral science was in 1937

Rhymes for behavioral science

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Browse Nearby Words

behavioralist
behavioral science
behavioral scientist
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Cite this Entry

“Behavioral science.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/behavioral%20science. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Medical Definition

behavioral science

noun
: a science (as psychology, sociology, or anthropology) that deals with human action and seeks to generalize about human behavior in society
behavioral scientist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on behavioral science

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about behavioral science

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