trend

noun

\ ˈtrend

Definition of trend

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a prevailing tendency or inclination : drift current trends in education

b : a general movement : swing the trend toward suburban living

c : a current style or preference : vogue new fashion trends

d : a line of development : approach new trends in cancer research

2 : the general movement over time of a statistically detectable change also : a statistical curve reflecting such a change

3 : a line of general direction or movement the trend of the coast turned toward the west

trend

verb

trended; trending; trends

Definition of trend (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to show a tendency : incline prices trending upward

b : to become deflected : shift opinions trending toward conservatism

2a : to extend in a general direction : follow a general course mountain ranges trending north and south

b : to veer in a new direction : bend a coastline that trends westward

3 : to generate or attract a lot of interest or attention especially online and in social media a trending news story … a database that combs about 42 sources, including blogs, social media, peer-to-peer sites, video destinations, Twitter and popular Web sites to present a complete view of how brands, topics and ideas are trending online. —Daisy Whitney

Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about trend

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Choose the Right Synonym for trend

Noun

tendency, trend, drift, tenor, current mean movement in a particular direction. tendency implies an inclination sometimes amounting to an impelling force. a general tendency toward inflation trend applies to the general direction maintained by a winding or irregular course. the long-term trend of the stock market is upward drift may apply to a tendency determined by external forces the drift of the population away from large cities or it may apply to an underlying or obscure trend of meaning or discourse. got the drift of her argument tenor stresses a clearly perceptible direction and a continuous, undeviating course. the tenor of the times current implies a clearly defined but not necessarily unalterable course. an encounter that changed the current of my life

Examples of trend in a Sentence

Noun

the downward trend of the stock market Digital technology is the latest trend in television. There is a disturbing trend toward obesity in children.

Verb

during the winter our school system trends toward canceling school at the drop of a hat—or at least a snowflake the river trends east, then west again, forming an oxbow

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The Sue Hecks and Jan Bradys of the world are becoming a rarity, as family planning trends from the 1970s have essentially reversed. — Ashley May, USA TODAY, "Middle children are going extinct because Millennials don't want three children anymore," 13 July 2018 But even the monochromatic look can be updated and adapted for current trends. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "This New Brand Has Mastered Western Style," 13 July 2018 Are there any fashion trends or ideas in fashion you’re feeling really inspired by? — Steff Yotka, Vogue, "Sarah Paulson Is the Ultimate Prada Fan—She Proves It with a Star Turn in the Brand’s New Film," 13 July 2018 At the Latin Alternative Music Conference in New York City on July 12, a panel of female leaders in publishing, promotion, management and booking highlighted how musical and cultural trends are allowing more women to succeed. — Jessica Lipsky, Billboard, "Latin Women Take The Reins: Insights From the Latin Alternative Music Conference," 13 July 2018 According to a recent report, mocktails are among the leading non-alcoholic beverage trends on restaurant menus (along with kombucha and cold brew coffee). — Health.com, "6 Mocktail Recipes That Make Happy Hour Way Healthier," 12 July 2018 Dry July comes and goes, but the nonalcoholic drinks trend is just picking up steam. — Joy Manning, Philly.com, "Where to drink in Philadelphia during Dry July," 12 July 2018 In recent decades these disparities have consistently favoured the Republicans, and there is no reason to think that trend is going to change on its own. — The Economist, "America’s electoral system gives the Republicans advantages over Democrats," 12 July 2018 Such a villain also plays against the trend popularized by Black Panther, of having an antagonist with understandable motives. — refinery29.com, "Mission Impossible: Fallout Is As Wild & Fun As Henry Cavill's Mustache," 12 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Art historian Adrienne Lee is teaching a series this month to the Baby Boomer generation, illustrating how historical art themes have manifested into trending images — like memes — on the internet. — Lisa Maria Garza, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Rollins College class on memes explains to seniors creative ways people get 'snarky' online," 11 July 2018 The decline in manufacturing layoffs coincides with broader involuntary discharges trending at near-record lows. — Eric Morath, WSJ, "Factory Workers’ New Perk: Job Security," 10 July 2018 But Hernandez’s current status on this Mariners team and that constant push and pull of King Felix vs. current Felix is fascinating and really not trending toward a happy ending. — Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "Twitter mailbag: Will Felix Hernandez pitch in the postseason if the Mariners make it? Cano to first base? And Magnum P.I.?," 9 July 2018 Vicki Gaubeca of the Southern Border Communities Coalition said migration often trends down this time of year because of crop harvest schedules as well. — Kate Morrissey, Anchorage Daily News, "Illegal border crossings decrease for the first time in 2018," 7 July 2018 But its own output—and not just the ever-trending bucket—is worth another look. — Laird Borrelli-persson, Vogue, "Will Saddlers Union Be the Next Heritage House to Make It Big?," 6 July 2018 Vicki Gaubeca of the Southern Border Communities Coalition said migration often trends down this time of year because of crop harvest schedules as well. — Kate Morrissey, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Illegal border crossings decrease for the first time in 2018," 6 July 2018 Movement is frequently east at the onset, trending southeast as the cluster matures with overall weakening after sunrise. — Tom Skilling, chicagotribune.com, "Ask Tom: What is a mesoscale connective system?," 3 July 2018 This week, shortly after Donald Trump announced his nominee for the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the retirement of Anthony Kennedy, a joking hashtag began trending on Twitter. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, "Brett Kavanaugh, Jim Jordan, and the Fog of the Partisan," 13 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'trend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.