1. n. a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect (view details)
2. n. an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others (view details)
3. n. an inclination to do something (view details)
4. n. a general direction in which something tends to move (view details)

Meaning 1: (noun) a characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect
Usage Example(s): fabric with a tendency to shrink, the alkaline inclination of the local waters
Synonym(s): inclination ( what does inclination stand for? )
tendency is a kind of: disposition ( what does disposition stand for? )
tendency is derived from: be given ( what does be given stand for? ), incline ( what does incline stand for? ), lean ( what does lean stand for? ), run ( what does run stand for? ), tend ( what does tend stand for? )

Meaning 2: (noun) an attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others
Usage Example(s): a tendency to be too strict, he had an inclination to give up too easily
Synonym(s): disposition, inclination
tendency is derived from: be given, dispose ( what does dispose stand for? ), incline, lean, run, tend

Meaning 3: (noun) an inclination to do something
Usage Example(s): he felt leanings toward frivolity
Synonym(s): leaning ( what does leaning stand for? ), propensity ( what does propensity stand for? )
tendency is derived from: be given, incline, lean, run, tend

Meaning 4: (noun) a general direction in which something tends to move
Usage Example(s): the shoreward tendency of the current, the trend of the stock market
Synonym(s): trend ( what does trend stand for? )

What do YOU think tendency stands for?