Conditioned
/kənˈdɪʃənd/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo bring (someone or something) to the desired state by providing the necessary conditions for achieving a desired outcome.
/kənˈdɪʃənd/
To train or accustom (a person or animal) to behave in a certain way or to accept certain circumstances.
The trainers conditioned the horse to jump over the obstacles.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're teaching a dog to sit. Every time he sits, you give him a treat. You're conditioning him to sit when you say the word 'sit'.
👶 For kids: To teach something to do something in a certain way.
More Examples
Repeated exposure to the drug conditioned the patient to crave it.
How It's Used
"The experiment conditioned the dogs to salivate at the sound of a bell."
"The teacher conditioned her students to raise their hands before speaking."
Being dependent on or subjected to a specified condition or conditions.
/kənˈdɪʃənd/
Affected by a condition, subject to a requirement.
Their success was conditioned by their hard work.
💡 Simply: Imagine a promise that only happens if something else happens first. Like, "My trip is conditioned on getting time off work."
👶 For kids: Something that depends on something else.
More Examples
The agreement was conditioned upon the completion of the project.
How It's Used
"The sale was conditioned upon the buyer obtaining financing."
"Our happiness is often conditioned by external factors."
From Middle English condicioned, past participle of condicionen ('to agree, stipulate, or make a condition'), from Old French condicioner (modern French conditionner). Ultimately from Latin condicio ('agreement, stipulation, condition').
The word 'conditioned' appears in legal and philosophical texts from the 17th century onwards, often discussing dependent actions or states.
Memory tip
Think of training a dog with treats to associate the sound with food. You are conditioning its behavior.