1. a scientist who studies the behavior of animals in their natural environment
Usage: typically refers to someone with formal training in ethology; often works in field research or laboratory settings

Examples

• The ethologist observed the wolves' pack behavior for three years.
• Jane Goodall was a renowned ethologist who studied chimpanzees in Africa.
• Ethologists use video recordings to document animal interactions without disturbing them.
• The ethologist discovered that dolphins use distinct calls to communicate with each other.
• Many ethologists work in zoos to better understand captive animal behavior.
• As an ethologist, she specialized in the social structures of primates.