The meaning of TRAIT is a distinguishing quality (as of personal character). How to use trait in a sentence. Patience is one of his best traits . A trait is also a characteristic of an organism that is passed from parent to child. Thus, it cannot classify any uniquely human trait (morphological, psychological, or behavioral) as an adaptation. Definition of trait noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. Learn what personality traits are and how they influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Explore the Big Five dimensions, positive and negative traits , and exercises to improve your self-awareness and communication skills.