1. The general direction in which something tends to move.
2. A general tendency or inclination. See synonyms at tendency.
3. Current style; vogue: the latest trend in fashion.

1. To extend, incline, or veer in a specified direction: The prevailing wind trends east-northeast.
2. To show a general tendency; tend: "The gender gap was trending down" (James J. Kilpatrick).

[From Middle English trenden, to revolve, from Old English trendan.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.