<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001543407-13-000042.txt : 20130531
<SEC-HEADER>0001543407-13-000042.hdr.sgml : 20130531
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20130531152554
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001543407-13-000042
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3/A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20130422
FILED AS OF DATE:		20130531
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20130531

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Strahlman Ellen R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001575385

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3/A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04802
		FILM NUMBER:		13884850

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		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>3/A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2013-04-22</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2013-04-30</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001575385</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Strahlman Ellen R</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>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5373</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These represent restricted stock units awarded under the Becton, Dickinson and Company 2004 Employee and Director Equity-Based Compensation Plan which were inadvertently omitted from the reporting person's original Form 3.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Richard Stout, by power of attorney for Ellen R Strahlman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2013-05-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
