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;” trindle, trundle

Example Sentences

As well as her work in film, Bardot will also be remembered as a fashion icon, with her blonde tousled hair and bold eyeliner setting beauty trends worldwide.

From BBC

Her tousled hair and bold eyeliner set fashion trends worldwide, while her performances cemented Bardot as a cinematic trailblazer.

From BBC

Here are six of the hottest trends you can incorporate into your wardrobe in 2026.

From BBC

This collaboration keeps trade schools aware of job-growth trends so they can adapt the curriculum, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That is a trend that is alarming,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• direction
• movement
• tendency