the learning process by which the behaviour of an organism becomes dependent on an event occurring in its environment
See also classical conditioning, instrumental learning
adjective
2.
(of a shampoo, cosmetic, etc) intended to improve the condition of something
a conditioning rinse
conditioning in American English
(kənˈdɪʃənɪŋ)
noun Psychology
1. Also called: operant conditioning, instrumental conditioning
a process of changing behavior by rewarding or punishing a subject each time an action is performed until the subject associates the action with pleasure or distress
2. Also called: classical conditioning, Pavlovian conditioning, respondent conditioning
a process in which a stimulus that was previously neutral, as the sound of a bell, comes to evoke a particular response, as salivation, by being repeatedly paired with another stimulus that normally evokes the response, as the taste of food
Word origin
[1915–20; condition + -ing1]
Examples of 'conditioning' in a sentence
conditioning
The electrical fault caused the air conditioning to fail.
The Sun (2016)
One person said something had gone wrong with the air conditioning.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is more difficult when you are too hot and you have no air conditioning and you are sailing virtually naked.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is no need for air conditioning, bells and whistles.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It has arctic air conditioning to cope with the smoke; the Who are playing on the sound system.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You'd want him to have been playing rugby but he's certainly benefited from weeks of strength and conditioning.
The Sun (2017)
The cheapest rooms have a bunk bed and shared bathroom, but also air conditioning, and you get to use the impressive gym and pool facilities.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Turning off lights and air conditioning during tests?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
We have been working with his strength and conditioning coaches.
The Sun (2013)
Highlights and a conditioning treatment for the hair.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We need to address the social conditioning that encourages these procedures in the first place.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The grubs crawled out of an air conditioning unit and dripped on to people near the stage.
The Sun (2014)
This is because air conditioning is an abomination.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Has conditioning and medical treatment improved during your athletics career?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
One pair of shoes cannot undo years of social conditioning.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The air conditioning unit and windscreen wipers were taken out.
The Sun (2012)
They were always complaining about the air conditioning and seldom happy with my recommendations.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Give your tresses a weekly revamp with this deep conditioning treatment for dry and damaged hair.
The Sun (2009)
It is inevitable that we reflect our social conditioning in the way we act as parents.
Bethune, Helen Positive Parent Power (1991)
Two other churches in the area have already been targeted for the copper pipes in their air conditioning units this year.
Christianity Today (2000)
He has been told particularly to do strength and conditioning work on his legs and been given exercises for his lower back.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
With regular deep conditioning, hair will look its best on holiday.
The Sun (2013)
We knew we had to improve the diet of the players and needed a specialist in the areas of diet and physical conditioning.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Always use a heat protector before, and a conditioning cream after for shine.
The Sun (2014)
Speak to fitness and conditioning coaches and they will tell you how long layoffs cause weaknesses that heighten a susceptibility to minor injuries.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And please don't bang the strength and conditioning drum to counsel against playing overseas.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Yes I admire their physical conditioning and power.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Her conditioning coach in Mile End phoned her and said that a tester had turned up.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Synonyms of 'conditioning'
training, education, teaching, accustoming
accustoming, seasoning, readying, preparation
More Synonyms of conditioning
Word lists with
conditioning
Psychology terms
All related terms of 'conditioning'
condition
If you talk about the condition of a person or thing, you are talking about the state that they are in, especially how good or bad their physical state is.
air conditioning
Air conditioning is a method of providing buildings and vehicles with cool dry air.
classical conditioning
the alteration in responding that occurs when two stimuli are regularly paired in close succession : the response originally given to the second stimulus comes to be given to the first
operant conditioning
conditioning (sense 1 )
air-condition
to apply air conditioning to
1 (noun)
You can't brush off decades of social conditioning in the blink of an eye.
Synonyms
training
He had no formal training as a decorator.
She will soon be back in training for next year.
education
institutions for the care and education of children
teaching
accustoming
habituation
inurement
2 (noun)
Synonyms
accustoming
seasoning
readying
preparation
grooming
hardening
reorientation
familiarization
Additional synonyms
in the sense of education
Definition
the process of teaching, esp. at a school, college, or university
institutions for the care and education of children