# conditioned

/kənˈdɪʃənd/ (US) · /kəndˈɪʃənd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conditioned
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. trained by habit

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic

trained to act or think in a specific way because of past experiences.

For teachers: exhibiting a learned response to a specific stimulus through repetitive association.

- The dog was conditioned to expect food whenever he heard the bell ring.
- The subjects had been so thoroughly conditioned by the experimental parameters that they reacted to the visual cue before they were consciously aware of it.

Usage: Often used with the preposition 'to' followed by an infinitive or noun phrase.

### 2. physically fit

adjective · CEFR B2

in good physical shape because of regular exercise and training.

For teachers: brought into a desired state of physical fitness or health through a systematic regime.

- The athletes were well conditioned and ready for the long race ahead.
- After months of high-altitude training, the climbers were perfectly conditioned for the final ascent to the summit.

### 3. dependent on rules

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

only true or possible if certain other things happen first.

For teachers: subject to or dependent on specific conditions or circumstances.

- The job offer was conditioned on him passing a final medical exam.
- The release of the funds was strictly conditioned upon the completion of the first phase of the infrastructure project.

Usage: Usually followed by the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.

### 4. to train or influence

verb · CEFR B2

to train someone or something to behave in a particular way.

For teachers: to train or accustom a person or animal to behave in a certain way or to accept certain circumstances.

- Society often conditions us to believe that success means having a lot of money.
- The harsh environment had conditioned the local population to be extremely resilient in the face of economic hardship.

## Examples

- The dog is conditioned to sit when it hears a whistle.
- Many people are conditioned to check their phones immediately after waking up due to years of habit.
- The experiment demonstrated how subjects could be conditioned to associate a neutral sound with an impending physical sensation, eventually triggering a physiological response to the sound alone.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.