tendency

noun

TEN-duhn-see/ˈtɛn.dən.si/

Pluraltendencies

2 meanings of tendency

1
nouncountable
A habit of acting a certain way, or of moving in a certain direction.
Like a ball on a hill that always rolls the same way down.
She has a tendency to arrive late for meetings.
Plants show a natural tendency to grow toward light.
Similarinclination, propensity, trend, leaning
Note
2
nouncountable
A smaller group that forms inside a larger political party or movement.
Like a small team that forms inside a much bigger club.
A radical tendency split from the main party last year.
Several tendencies inside the union argued over the strike.
Similarfaction, wing
Note

Practice

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Origin

From Medieval Latin tendentia, from the verb tendō.