Definition
Trend
A trend is the broad direction or repeating pattern seen across ordered data.
What it means
Zoom out from one step at a time. Values can wobble up and down while the whole run still leans upward, downward, or stays about level. A trend describes that larger pattern; it does not promise that every step behaves the same way.
Remember it
Do not chase every wobble; look at where the whole path is heading.
Example
A reader finishes 12, 15, 14, 18, and 21 pages on five successive days. There is a small drop from 15 to 14, but the overall trend is upward because the later values are generally higher than the earlier ones.
Watch for
One change between two values is a change, but it may be too little evidence to describe a dependable trend.
Common mix-up
An upward trend does not mean every value rises; short dips can occur inside the larger upward pattern.
Exact meaning
A trend is the broad direction or recurring pattern in ordered data or in a relationship after small local changes are set aside. A trend may rise, fall, stay roughly level, cycle, or show no clear direction.