-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 H7SC5BFQgW1Xo6jwys7SPyD6JGRBnV/jUGzyVBVs6+QJW2SRajdguzpuTcMMnDBj
 EaC6jfhV2QaGWYWpcRiQmQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001246426-08-000162.txt : 20081210
<SEC-HEADER>0001246426-08-000162.hdr.sgml : 20081210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081210170221
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001246426-08-000162
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081208
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081210

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SHRADER PATRICIA B
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001368366

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04802
		FILM NUMBER:		081241591

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		201-847-6800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY
		STREET 2:		1 BECTON DRIVE
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKES
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BECTON DICKINSON & CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000010795
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				220760120
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKES
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417-1880
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2018476800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE BECTON DR
		CITY:			FRANKLIN LAKE
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07417
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-08</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000010795</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BECTON DICKINSON &amp; CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BDX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001368366</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SHRADER PATRICIA B</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BECTON, DICKINSON AND COMPANY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1 BECTON DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FRANKLIN LAKES</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07417</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Right to Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-08</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>40</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>64.96</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>40</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>15853</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The securities convert to common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The securities are distributable upon retirement or the date or dates specified by the reporting person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Patricia Walesiewicz, by power of attorney for Patricia B. Shrader</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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