ethology
noun
ethol·o·gy
ē-ˈthä-lə-jē 
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
Examples of ethology in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, the fields of primatology, ethology, anthropology, and all of science were incredibly male-dominated.
—
Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Goodall later earned a PhD in ethology, the study of animal behavior, from the University of Cambridge.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Melissa Bateson, a professor of ethology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, has studied ways to communicate with animals and consulted with Cronin.
—Lorna Collier, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2016
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Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025
Goodall later earned a PhD in ethology, the study of animal behavior, from the University of Cambridge.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Melissa Bateson, a professor of ethology at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom, has studied ways to communicate with animals and consulted with Cronin.
—Lorna Collier, Discover Magazine, 3 May 2016
Cite this Entry
“Ethology.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ethology. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ethology
noun
ethol·o·gy
ē-ˈthäl-ə-jē
: the scientific study of animal behavior
Medical Definition
ethology
noun
ethol·o·gy
ē-ˈthäl-ə-jē
plural ethologies
: the scientific and objective study of animal behavior especially under natural conditions
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