Definition Definition

habit - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'habit' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Habit [ n.]
- The usual condition or state of a person or thing, either natural or acquired, regarded as something had, possessed, and firmly retained; as, a religious habit; his habit is morose; elms have a spreading habit; esp., physical temperament or constitution; as, a full habit of body.
- The general appearance and manner of life of a living organism.
- Fixed or established custom; ordinary course of conduct; practice; usage; hence, prominently, the involuntary tendency or aptitude to perform certain actions which is acquired by their frequent repetition; as, habit is second nature; also, peculiar ways of acting; characteristic forms of behavior.
- Outward appearance; attire; dress; hence, a garment; esp., a closely fitting garment or dress worn by ladies; as, a riding habit.
- To inhabit.
- To dress; to clothe; to array.
- To accustom; to habituate. [Obs.] Chapman.

Meaning of 'habit' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . habit [ n]
Meaning (1):
- the general form or mode of growth (especially of a plant or crystal)
Example in sentence:
  • a shrub of spreading habit
Meaning (2):
- an established custom
Example in sentence:
  • it was their habit to dine at 7 every evening
Meaning (3):
- (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition
Example in sentence:
  • long use had hardened him to it;
  • owls have nocturnal habits;
  • she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair