Tendency (noun)

1. A general inclination or preference, especially one that is gradually increasing.
2. A strong likelihood or probability of something happening or being the case.
3. A natural disposition or aptitude toward a particular characteristic or attribute.

Origin:

From old french, from latin tendentia, from tendere ("to stretch, tend"), from proto-indo-european *ten- ("to stretch"). cognate with ancient greek τέννω (ténno, "i stretch"), sanskrit तनति (tanati, "he stretches"), lithuanian tęsti ("to extend"), old english tendan ("to tend, take care of"), gothic 𐌸𐌹𐌽𐌳𐌰𐌽 (þeidan, "to tend").

Examples:

1. There is a tendency for people to overeat during the holidays.
2. The company has a tendency to favor employees who have been with the company for a long time.
3. She has a tendency to worry too much about things that are beyond her control.
4. The stock market has a tendency to be volatile.
5. There is a tendency for the weather to get colder in the winter.