What is the meaning of tendency?

noun

• An attitude of mind especially one that favors one alternative over others.
  • usage: "he had an inclination to give up too easily"; "a tendency to be too strict"
  • synonyms: inclination, disposition
• An inclination to do something.
  • usage: "he felt leanings toward frivolity"
  • synonyms: leaning, propensity
• A characteristic likelihood of or natural disposition toward a certain condition or character or effect.
  • usage: "the alkaline inclination of the local waters"; "fabric with a tendency to shrink"
  • synonyms: inclination
• A general direction in which something tends to move.
  • usage: "the shoreward tendency of the current"; "the trend of the stock market"
  • synonyms: trend