B2noun1K

Stream

UK /["/striːm/"]/US /["/striːm/"]/

Definition

a small, narrow river

In simple words: A flow of water or data that moves continuously.

Examples

  • The stream of water flowed gently through the forest.
  • He decided to stream his gameplay on Twitch to connect with his followers.
  • The teacher played a video that explained the concept of a stream in computing.
  • We watched a live stream of the concert last night.
  • In the spring, the stream would become swollen with melting snow.
  • The app allows you to stream music directly from your device.

Usage notes

Used when talking about flowing water or continuously sending data online. Not typically used in formal writing for water.

Grammar pattern

stream + object

Memory hint

Think of a 'stream' as a 'team' of water flowing together.

Collocations

  • little
  • small
  • shallow
  • cross
  • ford
  • pollute
  • flow
  • run
  • trickle
  • bed
  • across a/​the stream
  • down a/​the stream
  • up a/​the stream
  • the edge of the stream
  • the side of the stream
  • thin
  • air
  • gas
  • emit
  • let in
  • flow
  • stream of
  • constant
  • continuous
  • endless
  • generate
  • send
  • let loose
  • stream of
  • stream of consciousness
  • constant
  • continuous
  • endless
  • generate
  • send
  • let loose
  • stream of
  • stream of consciousness

Synonyms

  • flow
  • current
  • brook
  • creek

Antonyms

  • drought
  • stagnation

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'dream' due to similar sounds.
  • Using 'stream' in a past tense form incorrectly as 'streamed' when referring to current action.