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 Words From

• counter·trend noun
• subtrend 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

If trends continue as expected, there will perhaps be a pause in March.

From BBC

But he stresses that the success or failure ultimately depends on global trends in people smuggling, over which UK ministers have little control.

From BBC

As with any economic statistic, one month's data can buck a general trend and should be considered alongside other published data.

From BBC

California voters are heavily Democratic and a high minimum wage generally aligns with left-wing values, but voters on both sides of the aisle didn’t adhere to typical party-line trends when it came to Proposition 32.

From Los Angeles Times

“People who have been watching closely and feel like the race is on a knife’s edge are anxious to see this one get called,” said Paul Mitchell, whose firm Political Data, Inc. tracks voter trends.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• direction
• movement
• tendency