A "trait" is a distinguishing characteristic or quality that defines an individual or a group. Traits can be physical, such as eye color or height, or they can be behavioral, like kindness or determination. In psychology, traits are often used to describe personality, helping to categorize how people typically think, feel, and act. In genetics, traits are inherited characteristics passed from parents to offspring through genes. For example, Mendelian inheritance explains how traits like flower color in pea plants can be dominant or recessive. Understanding traits is essential in fields like biology, psychology, and even sociology, as they help explain diversity among individuals and species.