trend

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrend 

1

a

: 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

2 of 2

verb

trended; trending; trends

intransitive verb

1

a

: to show a tendency : incline

prices trending upward

b

: to become deflected : shift

opinions trending toward conservatism

2

a

: 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

Noun

• current
• direction
• drift
• leaning
• run
• tendency
• tide
• wind

Verb

• incline
• lean
• run
• tend

Choose the Right Synonym for trend

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

Her last outfit was a culmination of the tennis core trend. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 29 Apr. 2024

Like many transient trends that resurface after years, freestyle braids epitomize this era with a touch of timelessness that withstands the latent regret that seems to come with skinny brows and Trucker hats. —Tiana Randall, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2024

That trend held Sunday, partly because the Kings rarely tested Edmonton goaltender Stuart Skinner. —Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2024

Combine two trends with this baggy pair that also has cargo-style pockets, mimicking Dern’s street style. —Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 29 Apr. 2024

The report reflects these trends, as the highest proportion of companies issuing warnings belong to the personal and leisure goods categories. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 29 Apr. 2024

With these individuals still in the prime of their working lives came skills and purchasing power, which is accelerating a trend Fikri believes would have happened over time. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2024

The surges in shuttle ridership this February and March go well beyond recent trends. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Apr. 2024

Fed officials typically keep a close eye on a measure that strips out food and fuel costs, both of which are volatile, to get a sense of the underlying inflation trend. —Ben Casselman, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2024

Verb

Laura Daniella Sepulveda is a trending reporter for the Arizona Republic. —The Arizona Republic, 18 Apr. 2024

Kirsten Hansen, who wrote the screenplay during a trip to Ireland, sees romantic comedies made by Netflix and Hallmark trending funnier, with more physical comedy. —Erin Carlson, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Apr. 2024

John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 17 Apr. 2024

Redfin stock reached a high of more than $95 per share during the pandemic and its corresponding housing boom, but it’s trended downward ever since, landing at around $5.50. —Alena Botros, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024

Aliza covers trending news, often focusing on crime and politics. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2024

New map reveals Hoosiers could see less of the solar eclipse John Tufts covers trending news for the Indianapolis Star. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Apr. 2024

Airbnb named upstate New York — including Lake Placid, Buffalo, Rochester and Niagara — at the top of its list of trending domestic destinations for U.S. travelers ahead of the eclipse. —Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

How today's event stacks up to past quakes Christopher Brito Christopher Brito is a social media manager and trending content writer for CBS News. —Christopher Brito, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, to turn, revolve, from Old English trendan; akin to Middle High German trendel disk, spinning top

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1777, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing trend

• counter-trend
• set/start a (new) trend
• sub-trend
• trend-setter
• trend-setting
• trend spotter
• trend-spotting

Kids Definition

trend

1 of 2 verb

ˈtrend 

1

: to extend in a general direction

2

: to show a tendency : incline

trend

2 of 2 noun

1

: general direction taken

the easterly trend of the shoreline

2

a

: a general tendency or movement

economic trends

b

: a current style or liking

new fashion trends