CONDUCT | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Middle English: from Old French, from Latin conduct- ‘brought together’, from the verb conducere. The term originally denoted a provision for safe passage, surviving in safe conduct; later the verb sense ‘lead, guide’ arose, hence ‘manage’ and ‘management’ (late Middle English), later ‘management of oneself, behaviour’ (mid 16th century). The original form of the word was conduit, which was preserved only in the sense ‘channel’ (see conduit); in other uses the spelling was influenced by Latin

the manner in which a person behaves, especially in a particular place or situation

person's behaviour

• they were arrested for disorderly conduct
• a code of conduct for directors of listed companies

the manner in which an organization or activity is managed or directed

direction or management

• the conduct of the elections

organize and carry out

organize and carry out

• in the second trial he conducted his own defence
• surveys conducted among students

lead or guide (someone) to or around a particular place

guide to or around place

• he conducted us through his personal gallery of the Civil War

transmit (a form of energy such as heat or electricity) by conduction

transmit energy by conduction

• heat is conducted to the surface

direct the performance of (a piece of music or an orchestra, choir, etc.)

direct performance of music

• the concert is to be conducted by Sir Simon Rattle

behave in a specified way

behave in particular way

• he conducted himself with the utmost propriety