stream

Pluralstreams

Formsstreams, streaming, streamed

1. 1
   small waterwaynouncountable

   A small river or large creek with water flowing between two banks.

   Like a tiny river you could almost step across.

   A small stream ran past the back of our house.

   The children waded across the shallow stream to reach the woods.

   Similarbrook, creek, rivulet, river, tributary

   Note
2. 2
   deliver onlineverbtransitive

   To send music, video, or other data over the internet so it plays right away while it downloads.

   Like water from a tap that keeps coming while you use it, instead of filling a bucket first.

   Most people stream their favorite shows instead of buying discs now.

   You can stream the new album for free this weekend.

   UsageSay stream a show or stream music.

   Similartransmit, deliver

   Note
3. 3
   endless linenouncountable

   A lot of things or people coming one after another without stopping, or a continuous flow of water, air, words, or thoughts.

   Like a line of ants marching one after another without a break.

   A steady stream of cars passed the house all afternoon.

   He gave a stream of excuses for being late.

   UsageSay a steady stream of cars.

   Similarflow, succession, series, string

   Note
4. 4
   transmit liveverbtransitive or intransitive

   To broadcast video or audio live over the internet as it happens.

   Like a live TV show, but sent out over the internet by anyone with a camera.

   She streams her gameplay every evening to a few hundred viewers.

   They stream the church service so distant relatives can watch.

   UsageSay stream live or stream a game.

   Similarbroadcast, livestream, webcast, air, transmit

5. 5
   listen or viewnouncountable

   One play of a song or video sent over the internet while you watch or listen.

   Like counting how many times people press play on a video.

   The song passed a billion streams last month.

   Each stream earns the artist a tiny payment.

   UsageSay a song got a million streams.

   Similarplay, listen

   Note
6. 6
   live broadcastnouncountable

   A live video or audio broadcast sent over the internet as it happens.

   Like watching a live TV show, but online.

   Thousands of fans joined the stream to watch the launch.

   Her stream crashed just as the match began.

   Similarlivestream, broadcast, webcast

7. 7
   flow steadilyverbintransitive

   To flow or move steadily in a continuous line, like water. Or to have liquid pouring out, as a cut streaming blood.

   Like water running smoothly out of a tap without stopping.

   Tears streamed down her face during the sad scene.

   Crowds stream out of the stadium after every game.

   UsageSay tears streamed down her face.

   Note
8. 8
   strandnounfigurativelycountable

   A particular path, channel, or way of moving forward.

   Like separate lanes on a road, each going its own way.

   The museum gets money from three streams: tickets, gifts, and grants.

   Funding arrived through a single government stream.

   UsageSay a revenue stream for one source of money.

   Similarchannel, source, track, path, pathway

   Note
9. 9
   data sequencenouncountable

   A flow of computer data that you read or write one piece at a time, in order.

   Like a line of people you can only deal with one after another, in order.

   The program reads the file as a stream, one line at a time.

   Data flows into the stream and is processed in order.

   Note
10. 10
    currentnouncountable

    The pushing force of moving water in a river or sea.

    Like a moving walkway that pushes you along whether you want it or not.

    The strong stream carried the little boat downriver.

    Swimmers struggled against the stream near the bridge.

    UsageSay swim against the stream.

    Similarcurrent, flow, tide

    Note

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