ethology

noun

ethol·​o·​gy ē-ˈthä-lə-jē How to pronounce ethology (audio)
1
: a branch of knowledge dealing with human character and with its formation and evolution
2
: the scientific and objective study of animal behavior especially under natural conditions
ethological
ˌē-thə-ˈlä-ji-kəl How to pronounce ethology (audio)
ˌe-thə-
adjective
ethologist
ē-ˈthä-lə-jist How to pronounce ethology (audio)
noun

Examples of ethology in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Research professor Daniel Kruger with the University of Michigan and University at Buffalo works with ethology, the study of human behavior through a biological lens. — Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 Starting in 1961, Goodall returned periodically to Cambridge for what became four years of doctoral studies in ethology. — Ralph Blumenthal, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek ethos + English -logy

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ethology was in 1843

Rhymes for ethology

See All Rhymes for ethology

Browse Nearby Words

ethology
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ethology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethology. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

ethology

noun
ethol·​o·​gy ē-ˈthäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ethology (audio)
: the scientific study of animal behavior

Medical Definition

ethology

noun
ethol·​o·​gy ē-ˈthäl-ə-jē How to pronounce ethology (audio)
plural ethologies
: the scientific and objective study of animal behavior especially under natural conditions
ethological
ˌē-thə-ˈläj-i-kəl How to pronounce ethology (audio) ˌeth-ə- How to pronounce ethology (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on ethology

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ethology

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Words You Always Have to Look Up
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular Features

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

13 Unusually Long English Words

9 Superb Owl Words
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
number-twelve-balloon
12-Letter Words Quiz A dozen words, a dozen letters each.
See All