trait

noun

ˈtrāt How to pronounce trait (audio)
British usually
ˈtrā How to pronounce trait (audio)
1
a
: a distinguishing quality (as of personal character)
curiosity is one of her notable traits
b
: an inherited characteristic
2
a
: a stroke of or as if of a pencil
b

Example Sentences

This dog breed has a number of desirable traits. honesty is one of her defining traits
Recent Examples on the Web That definition renders immaterial the specific trait being scorned. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2023 Lake, a former TV anchor, comes from a key swing state and is unflinchingly loyal to Trump, an indispensable trait for any potential veep. Dave Goldiner New York Daily News (tns), al, 8 Mar. 2023 Bees that were taught one of two solutions for opening a puzzle box spread that behavioral trait to untrained bees, creating a cultural signature for their colony. Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 7 Mar. 2023 One trait immediately comes to mind when former Texas teammates think of offensive lineman Junior Angilau: Strength. oregonlive, 2 Mar. 2023 And so, Kit Harrison continues to nurture the journalistic flame that burned so brightly within her father — the late Selig Harrison — an unflinching trait that’s embedded so deeply in her DNA. Globe Columnist, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Feb. 2023 These kinds of bright-eyed lead characters, whose defining trait is their insistent need to seize each and every single day in a keen and vice-like grip, are a long-standing staple of indie film. Catherine Bray, Variety, 16 Feb. 2023 However, as Leen pushed into the powerboat market in 2021 with a 56, another happy trait of the tri-hulled design came into play—efficiency. Kevin Koenig, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2023 According to Cantor, the cooperative fishing relationship is specific to this population of dolphins and not a genetic trait. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 30 Jan. 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle French, literally, act of drawing, from Latin tractus — more at tract

First Known Use

1589, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of trait was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near trait

Cite this Entry

“Trait.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trait. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

trait

noun
1
: a quality that sets one person or thing off from another : peculiarity sense 2
curiosity is one of her notable traits
2
: an inherited characteristic
dominant and recessive traits
Etymology

from early French trait "the act of pulling," from Latin tractus, past participle of trahere "to pull, drag" — related to trace entry 1, trace entry 3

Medical Definition

trait

noun
ˈtrāt, British usually ˈtrā
: an inherited characteristic

More from Merriam-Webster on trait

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