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

After graduation he decided to buck the usual trend and stay in town.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

R.V. is among what immigration attorneys describe as an escalating trend: some immigrants who win protection from deportation to their home countries are being detained indefinitely.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Bitcoin shows weak development in a falling trend channel in the short term. This signals increasing pessimism among investors and indicates further decline,” according to technical analysis of price trends released by Investtech.

Read more on Barron's

But productivity growth may not achieve that pace, given labor trends and the delayed boost from AI adoption.

Read more on Barron's

While statistical trends bode well, there are risks to consider—namely, the interest-rate decision from the Federal Reserve on Dec. 10.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• direction 
• movement 
• tendency