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 Word Forms

• countertrend noun
• subtrend 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

But a new trend, which sees people adding AI-generated animals to original photographs, has encouraged some content creators to embrace AI.

Read more on BBC

There has been a downward trend in the amount of victim-based offences resulting in a charge or summons across England and Wales, according to UK government data.

Read more on BBC

Indonesia’s inflation trends are likely to support the central bank’s easing bias, ANZ said, with the primary limitation being the need to maintain rupiah stability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The farm-equipment manufacturer logged higher sales in its fiscal fourth quarter as agricultural trends began to improve.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The present trend—longer lives and lower birthrates—will make Ford’s labor-force problem seem quaint as we move through the next two to three decades.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• direction 
• movement 
• tendency