verb , noun
■ verb / kənˈdʌkt; NAmE /
1.
[ vn ] to organize and/or do a particular activity :
to conduct an experiment / an inquiry / a survey
The negotiations have been conducted in a positive manner.
2.
to direct a group of people who are singing or playing music :
[ vn ]
a concert by the Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Colin Davis
[also v ]
3.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] to lead or guide sb through or around a place :
a conducted tour of Athens (= one with a guide, giving information about it)
The guide conducted us around the ruins of the ancient city.
4.
[ vn + adv. / prep. ] conduct yourself ... ( formal ) to behave in a particular way :
He conducted himself far better than expected.
5.
[ vn ] ( technical ) ( of a substance ) to allow heat or electricity to pass along or through it :
Copper conducts electricity well.
■ noun / ˈkɒndʌkt; NAmE ˈkɑːn-/ [ U ] ( formal )
1.
a person's behaviour in a particular place or in a particular situation :
The sport has a strict code of conduct.
2.
conduct of sth the way in which a business or an activity is organized and managed :
There was growing criticism of the government's conduct of the war.
—see also safe conduct
••
WORD ORIGIN
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 cent.). 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 .