First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1stream
noun \ˈstrēm\
: a natural flow of water that is smaller than a river
: any flow of liquid or gas
: a continuous flow of people or things
Full Definition of STREAM
1
: a body of running water (as a river or brook) flowing on the earth; also : any body of flowing fluid (as water or gas)
2
a : a steady succession (as of words or events) <kept up an endless stream of chatter> b : a constantly renewed or steady supply <a stream of revenue> c : a continuous moving procession <a stream of traffic>
3
: an unbroken flow (as of gas or particles of matter)
4
: a ray of light
5
a : a prevailing attitude or group <has always run against the stream of current fashion> b : a dominant influence or line of development <the influence of two streams of inheritance: genetic and cultural — P. B. Baltes>
6
British : track 3c
See stream defined for English-language learners
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Origin of STREAM
Middle English streme, from Old English strēam; akin to Old High German stroum stream, Greek rhein to flow
Other Geology Terms
2stream
verb
: to move in a steady flow
of the body or a body part : to produce a liquid continuously and often in large amounts
: to be or become wet with a liquid
Full Definition of STREAM
intransitive verb1
a : to flow in or as if in a stream b : to leave a bright trail <a meteor streamed through the sky>
2
a : to exude a bodily fluid profusely <her eyes were streaming> b : to become wet with a discharge of bodily fluid <streaming with perspiration>
3
: to trail out at full length <her hair streaming back as she ran>
4
: to pour in large numbers <complaints came streaming in>
transitive verb
1
: to emit freely or in a stream <his eyes streamed tears>
2
: to display (as a flag) by waving
3
: to transfer (digital data, such as audio or video material) in a continuous stream especially for immediate processing or playback
See stream defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STREAM
13th century
STREAM Defined for Kids
1stream
noun \ˈstrēm\
Definition of STREAM for Kids
1
: a body of water (as a brook or river) flowing on the earth
2
: a flow of liquid or gas <a stream of tears>
3
: a steady series (as of words or events) following one another <There was an endless stream of traffic.>
2stream
verb
streamedstream·ing
Definition of STREAM for Kids
1
: to flow in or as if in a stream <Rain was streaming down the windows.>
2
: to give out a bodily fluid in large amounts <His face streamed sweat.>
3
: to become wet with flowing liquid <The windows are streaming with rain.>
4
: to trail out at full length <Her hair streamed in the wind.>
5
: to pour, enter, or arrive in large numbers <The people streamed into the hall.> <Complaints were streaming in.>
6
: to transfer (data, as music or videos) in a continuous stream especially to be played immediately
Medical Dictionary
stream
noun \ˈstrēm\
Medical Definition of STREAM
: an unbroken current or flow (as of water, a bodily fluid, or a gas)—see bloodstream, midstream
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