trend
noun [ C ]
uk/trend/ usa general development in a situation or in the way that people behave:
consumer/industry/market trends Goods on the Retail Price Index have to be updated to accurately represent consumer trends.
a downward/upward trend Borrowing is on a downward trend.
a trend for sth They are profiting from a growing trend for eating out.
a trend in sth Manufacturers are being buffeted by trends in the global economy.
a trend of sth a trend of rising prices
a trend towards/toward sth The trend toward bigger cars is new this year.
current/general/recent trends
growing/long-term/underlying trends
business/economic/global trends
a new development in clothing, make-up, etc.:
Autumn fashion trends are expected to favour muted colours.
above/below trend
more or less than is usual:
We will see GDP on a quarterly basis above rather than below trend.
buck the/a trend
to be different from or not be affected by the way that other people or things are behaving:
Although industry profits were down, MFG is expected to buck the trend and increase profits.
reverse the/a trend
to make a general development go in the opposite direction:
Holding the rate of duty will do little to reverse the trend towards cross-border shopping.
set the/a trend (for sb/sth)
to start doing something that other people copy:
Our employee focus could well set the trend for successful companies in the future.