trend

[ trend ]

noun

1. the general course or prevailing tendency; drift:

   trends in the teaching of foreign languages; the trend of events.

2. style or vogue:

   the new trend in women's apparel.

3. the general direction followed by a road, river, coastline, or the like.

verb (used without object)

1. to have a general tendency, as events, conditions, etc.
2. to tend to take a particular direction; extend in some direction indicated.

   Synonyms: incline, run, stretch

3. to emerge as a popular trend; be currently popular:

   words that have trended this year.

4. Digital Technology. to be widely mentioned or discussed on the internet, especially in posts on social media websites:

   news stories that are trending online.

5. to veer or turn off in a specified direction, as a river, mountain range, etc.:

   The river trends toward the southeast.

trend

/ trɛnd /

noun

1. general tendency or direction
2. fashion; mode

verb

1. to take a certain trend

Other Words From

• counter·trend noun
• subtrend noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of trend¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English trenden “to turn, roll,” Old English trendan; akin to Old English trinde “ball,” Dutch trent “circumference,” Swedish trind “round;” trindle, trundle

Word History and Origins

Origin of trend¹

Old English trendan to turn; related to Middle Low German trenden

Synonym Study

See tendency.

Example Sentences

That missed opportunity could have rescued the Democrats this year, but only temporarily, given the global trends and underlying forces I explored in my previous article on the Harris defeat.

From Salon

The new norms will enable standardised grip strength test results for cross- and within-country comparisons, to identify trends over time, monitor improvements and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented public health policies.

From Science Daily

Employment rates started trending upward again in industries including health care, leisure and hospitality, government and social assistance.

From Salon

One trend appears to have significantly affected the reduced planetary albedo: the decline in low-altitude clouds in the northern mid-latitudes and the tropics.

From Science Daily

In the process, they are continuing a nationwide trend of communities suing oil companies, and now utilities, for contributing to global heating.

From Salon

Related Words

• direction
• movement
• tendency