conduct
Formsconducts, conducting, conducted
Formsconducts, conducting, conducted
- 1To carry out something organized, such as a survey, meeting, or investigation.
Researchers conduct interviews to gather data for the study.
The committee will conduct a review of the new policy.
UsageGoes with planned activities: conduct a survey, conduct research, conduct an investigation. More formal than do or run.
- 2The manner in which a person behaves; behavior.
Her conduct during the trial impressed even the opposing lawyers.
The company has a strict code that governs employee conduct.
UsageUsually no a and no plural: his conduct, good conduct, a code of conduct.
Similarbehavior, demeanor, bearing, deportment
- 3To direct an orchestra or other group of musicians during a performance.
He conducted the symphony with remarkable energy.
When the music director fell ill, the young assistant was asked to conduct the orchestra at only a few hours' notice.
UsageTakes the group or the piece: conduct the orchestra, conduct a symphony. The person is a conductor.
Similardirect
Note
The musician's sense, whose agent noun is conductor. In Lone Star Stalag (2004), Waters, Long and Dickens record Walter Pohlmann and later Willi Mets conducting a prisoners' orchestra in Compound 3. Mets had once conducted the Leipzig Symphony Orchestra.
- 4To lead, direct, or take charge of people or tasks.
With the mayor away, the deputy mayor was left to conduct the city's affairs, from the budget to the emergency crews.
The director conducts the daily operations of the firm.
UsageOften with business or affairs: conduct business, conduct the city's affairs.
- 5To allow heat, electricity, sound, or a similar form of energy to pass through or along it; to act as a conductor.
Copper and silver conduct electricity more efficiently than most metals.
These tiles conduct heat from the warm floor to your feet.
UsageA material conducts heat or electricity, often with well, slowly or easily; one that does it well is a conductor.
- 6The way in which something, such as a war, a campaign, or a business, is managed or directed.
The conduct of the war was widely criticized.
Critics in Congress questioned the general's conduct of the war after a string of costly defeats.
UsageUsually the conduct of + an activity: the conduct of the war, the conduct of the election.
Note
Here the object of conduct is an activity, not a person. Paley writes in 1785 of the conduct of war, and Brougham, in his Political Philosophy, of the conduct of the state. That is the quickest way to tell it from the "behavior" meaning. The conduct of a war is how it is run, while the conduct of a person is how they behave. Synonyms such as management and control fit only here.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- William Paley wrote of the conduct of war in 1785. en.wiktionary.org
Less common meanings
- 7To behave or carry oneself, especially in a particular manner.
Diplomats must conduct themselves with tact during negotiations.
She conducted herself with grace throughout the trial.
UsageUse with a -self word and a word saying how: conduct yourself well, she conducted herself with grace.
Note
It is used with a -self word and a word saying how: he conducted himself well, she conducted herself with grace. Behave, act and carry on are close synonyms. The verb shares its meaning with the noun for behavior, so conducting oneself well and showing good conduct describe the same thing.
- 8To lead, guide, or escort someone to a place.
The usher conducted the guests to their seats.
I can conduct you, lady, to a low / But loyal cottage, where you may be safe.
1634, [John Milton], A Maske Presented at Ludlow CastleUsageYou conduct someone to a place or through it. In everyday talk, take, show or lead sounds more natural.
Similarguide, lead, escort, accompany, steer
Note
Leading someone to a place is still current English, though it belongs to formal and ceremonial speech: an usher conducts guests to their seats, a footman conducts visitors through a hall. The use is an old one; Milton's masque of 1634 already has "I can conduct you, lady, to a low / But loyal cottage."
- 9An escort or convoy; a person who accompanies another for protection.
I will be your conduct.
1598, Ben Jonson, “Euery Man in His Humour. A Comœdie.”In my conduct shall your ladies come.
c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth,”Note
The meaning closest to the word's origin. Late Latin conductus meant "defense, escort," from Latin condūcō, "bring together." A conduct was the person you traveled under. Ben Jonson writes "I will be your conduct," and Shakespeare "In my conduct shall your ladies come." The use is obsolete, so say escort today, though the idea lingers in safe-conduct.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 6 facts
- The escort meaning closely reflects the word's etymological source, Late Latin conductus meaning defense or escort. en.wiktionary.org
- The etymology ultimately derives from Latin condūcō, meaning bring together. en.wiktionary.org
- A conduct could be an accompanying guide or escort. en.wiktionary.org
- Jonson wrote the quoted words in Every Man out of His Humour; the character Puntarvolo speaks them. gutenberg.org
- Shakespeare wrote the quoted words in Henry IV, Part 1; Glendower speaks them. The excerpt omits the opening And. folger.edu
- Safe-conduct retains the idea of an escort providing protection. en.wiktionary.org
- 10Something that carries or conveys; a channel, conduit, or instrument.
although thou hast been conduct of my chame
1591, William Shakespeare, “The Second Part of Henry the Sixt,”Note
Conduit's twin: the two words are doublets, both descended from the Latin behind the old "escort" meaning. As a word for a channel or carrier, this use is archaic. Shakespeare's The Second Part of Henry the Sixth stretches it to a person who has been "conduct of my shame."
- 11In a literary work, the plot: the action or storyline that the work follows.
The book of Job, indeed, in conduct and diction, bears a considerable resemblance to some of his dramas.
c. 1800, Thomas Macaulay, EssaysSimilarplot, storyline, action
Note
A critic's term for how a work's action is managed, often paired with style. Macaulay says the book of Job resembles some dramas "in conduct and diction." It treats plot as something an author steers, carrying the idea of directing an activity into criticism.
- 12A priest with no permanent appointment who is paid to lead church services, or, in modern use, a chaplain at certain colleges.
The Rev Charles Mitchell-Innes, Conduct of Eton College, officiated, assisted by Mr Ralph Allwood, Precentor.
2003, “Memorial Services”, in The Times
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
Latin condūcō ('bring together') had the perfect passive participle conductus, and in Late Latin conductus came to mean 'defense, escort'; that is where the English word comes from. Conduit is its doublet.