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

The fund may or may not succeed in the long run, but it’s arrival is clearly a sign that firms are willing to get a little extra creative to hop on a well-developed trend.

Read more on Barron's

As long as these ratios are trending higher, that is a sell signal for stocks.

Read more on MarketWatch

That the good doctor is a throwback is pretty obvious, as is the fact that, for all his devotion, he can’t escape the trends toward for-profit consolidation of healthcare practices and hospitals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Boyd’s core customers also played more this quarter than the year before, and trends improved with retail customers, as well, Chief Executive Keith Smith said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“This trend could be reversing now, which combined with a weakening labor market implies there is prospect for a softening in consumption.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• direction 
• movement 
• tendency