trend

American  

[trend] / trɛnd /

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.

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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 British  

/ trɛnd /

noun

1. general tendency or direction

2. fashion; mode

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verb

1. to take a certain trend

Related Words

See tendency.

Other Word Forms

• countertrend
  noun
• subtrend
  noun

Etymology

Origin of trend

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;” see trindle, trundle

Explanation

A trend is what's hip or popular at a certain point in time. While a trend usually refers to a certain style in fashion or entertainment, there could be a trend toward warmer temperatures (if people are following trends associated with global warming). A trend simply reflects what seems to be going around at any given time. A trend can be in any area and doesn't only reflect fashion, pop culture and entertainment. There can also be a trend in the stock market to be bullish or bearish, depending on economic indicators, or a political trend reflecting a nation’s current mood. Some trends are fun, some fabulous, some appalling, but however long they last, you can be sure there will always be a new trend coming along to replace the old.

Example Sentences

Capitalists figure out how to thrive under Trump, Gamestop makes a bid for Ebay, and McDonalds jumps on the fancy beverage trend.

From Slate • May 9, 2026

“We are doubtful that these firmer March and April numbers mark the start of a sudden upward trend in job creation,” said James Knightley, chief international economist at ING.

From MarketWatch • May 9, 2026

“It’s a reaction to a trend that has reached its practical limits,” said Emily Oster, an economist at Brown University who researches parenting.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

Chery kicked off the trend in 2023 by buying a former Nissan plant in Barcelona, Spain, where it now plans to produce 200,000 vehicles a year.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Kaajal was the potted eyeliner that was hugely popular in Mamma’s youth, a trend which she apparently hadn’t noticed had died away sometime in the ’70s.

From "When Dimple Met Rishi" by Sandhya Menon

Related Words

• direction
• movement
• tendency