First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1conduct
noun con·duct \ˈkän-(ˌ)dəkt\
: the way that a person behaves in a particular place or situation
: the way that something is managed or directed
Full Definition of CONDUCT
2
: the act, manner, or process of carrying on : management <praised for his conduct of the campaign>
3
: a mode or standard of personal behavior especially as based on moral principles <questionable conduct>
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Origin of CONDUCT
Middle English, from Medieval Latin conductus, from Latin conducere
Related to CONDUCT
2conduct
verb con·duct \kən-ˈdəkt also ˈkän-ˌdəkt\
: to plan and do (something, such as an activity)
: to direct the performance of (musicians or singers)
: to guide or lead (someone) through or around a place
Full Definition of CONDUCT
transitive verb
1
: to bring by or as if by leading : guide <conduct tourists through a museum>
2
a : to lead from a position of command <conduct a siege> <conduct a class> b : to direct or take part in the operation or management of <conduct an experiment> <conduct a business> <conduct an investigation> c : to direct the performance of <conduct an orchestra> <conduct an opera>
3
a : to convey in a channel b : to act as a medium for conveying or transmitting
4
: to cause (oneself) to act or behave in a particular and especially in a controlled manner
intransitive verb
1
of a road or passage : to show the way : lead
2
a : to act as leader or director b : to have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound, or electricity
— con·duct·ibil·i·ty \kən-ˌdək-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— con·duct·ible \-ˈdək-tə-bəl\ adjective
See conduct defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CONDUCT
15th century
Related to CONDUCT
Synonym Discussion of CONDUCT
conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate. conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group <conducted negotiations>. manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result <manages a meat market>. control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course <controlling his appetite>. direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation <directs the store's day-to-day business>.
synonyms see in addition behave
CONDUCT Defined for Kids
1conduct
verb con·duct \kən-ˈdəkt\
con·duct·edcon·duct·ing
Definition of CONDUCT for Kids
1
: to plan and put into operation from a position of command : lead <conduct a business>
2
: 2guide 1
3
: behave 1 <She conducted herself with courtesy.>
4
: to direct the performance of (musicians or singers)
5
: to have the quality of transmitting light, heat, sound, or electricity
Synonym Discussion of CONDUCT
conduct, direct, and manage mean to provide the leadership or guidance for something. conduct means leading something in person. <I will conduct the meeting.> direct is used for guiding something that needs constant attention. <Our mayor directed the building of a new school.> manage means the handling of the small items of something (as a business) or the careful guiding of something to a goal. <He's managing the president's reelection campaign.>
2conduct
noun con·duct \ˈkän-ˌdəkt\
Definition of CONDUCT for Kids
1
: personal behavior
2
: the act or way of managing something <the conduct of foreign trade>
Medical Dictionary
conduct
transitive verb con·duct \kən-ˈdəkt also ˈkän-ˌdəkt\
Medical Definition of CONDUCT
: to act as a medium for conveying
intransitive verb
: to have the quality of transmitting something (as light, heat, sound, or electricity)
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