Legal Definitions - pattern

Definition: A pattern is a consistent way of behaving or a series of actions that are recognizable.

For example, a company may have a pattern of hiring only men for high-level positions, which is a pattern of gender discrimination. Another example could be a person who has a pattern of always being late for appointments, which is a pattern of tardiness.

These examples illustrate the definition of a pattern because they both involve consistent behavior that can be recognized and identified as a pattern. In both cases, the behavior is not a one-time occurrence but rather a repeated action that can be observed over time.