flow

1 of 2

verb

ˈflō 

flowed; flowing; flows

intransitive verb

1

a(1)

: to issue or move in a stream

rivers flow into the sea

(2)

: circulate

b

: to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles

molasses flows slowly

water flowing over the dam

2

: rise

the tide ebbs and flows

3

: abound

a land flowing with natural resources

4

a

: to proceed smoothly and readily

conversation flowed easily

b

: to have a smooth continuity

the flowing lines of the car

5

: to hang loose and billowing

her gown flowed around her

6

: to derive from a source : come

the wealth that flows from trade

7

: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing

—used especially of minerals and rocks

8

: menstruate

transitive verb

1

: to cause to flow

flowing oil over the swamp to kill mosquito larvae

2

: to discharge in a flow

The new oil well flowed 100 barrels a day.

flow

2 of 2

noun

plural flows

1

: an act of flowing

2

a

: flood sense 1a

b

: flood sense 2

the tide's ebb and flow

3

a

: a smooth uninterrupted movement or progress

a flow of information

b

: stream

also : a mass of material which has flowed when molten

an old lava flow

c

: the direction of movement or development

go with the flow

4

: the quantity that flows in a certain time

a gauge that measures fuel flow

5

: menstruation

6

a

: the motion characteristic of fluids

b

: a continuous transfer of energy

7

chiefly African American English : a rapper's lyrical delivery as characterized by cadence, speed, volume, rhyme, etc.

… [Cardi B's] flow is so relentless that for nearly three minutes she doesn't offer listeners a single moment to catch their breath.

—Lindsay Zoladz

Having a great flow is the skill that can elevate an average rapper to a highly talented one.

—Robby Seabrook III

Synonyms

Verb

• pour
• roll
• run
• stream

Choose the Right Synonym for flow

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen

slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Examples of flow in a Sentence

Verb

rivers flowing into the sea

She opened the faucet and the water began to flow freely.

a device that measures the amount of electricity flowing through a circuit

Traffic has been flowing smoothly from east to west.

The grain flowed smoothly down the elevator chute.

Requests have flowed into the office.

Money has continued to flow in.

Noun

a sudden flow of tears

a steady flow of traffic

The doctor was trying to stop the flow of blood.

We want to encourage the free flow of ideas.

the westward flow of settlers

We've been receiving a constant flow of phone calls.

measuring blood flow to the brain

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Volunteers have been flowing into Israel’s new front lines, in the north and the south, helping to tend agricultural fields and guard the perimeters. —William Booth, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

Invictus Victory Eau de Parfum This scent is more popular among younger men due to the lemon and pink pepper top scent that flows well with the lavender middle fragrance, and the amber, vanilla, tonka bean base fragrance. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024

Two Tumbleweeds Art Dice If Mom needs help to get her creative juices flowing, these Art Dice make a wonderful gift. —Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2024

This history does not just flow in one cross-continental direction. —Aaron Cohen, NPR, 5 Apr. 2024

Their misgivings will flow into the already existing consensus that Israeli intransigence on the Palestinian issue is disastrous for American interests in the region. —Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024

For now, the billions from Aramco revenues flow to the PIF, which then spends lavishly on the kingdom’s new economy, including its investments in a green transition. —Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2024

The next $5,000 (again, the legal limit) will flow to the Save America PAC, which is the primary vehicle used to pay Trump’s legal bills. —Michelle Cottle, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

The park has at least seven beaches, including Platte Point Beach, where the Platte River flows into Lake Michigan and the waters merge. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024

Noun

Explore our new section The massive pumps that draw water into the aqueducts of the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project are strong enough to reverse the flow in parts of the south delta. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

The dam in the city of Orsk could not contain the flow of water of the Ural river and broke in two places, local authorities told TASS. —Radina Gigova, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

In a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday, President Biden reportedly called on Israel to change course and take demonstrable steps to better preserve civilian life and enable the flow of aid. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Even though these are made of leather, which isn’t always known as super breathable, these have ventilation slits throughout, allowing for a nice air flow to keep your feet cool. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024

Floor-to-ceiling windows trimmed with black metal reflect the easy indoor-outdoor flow and allow the garden’s lush foliage to feel like a part of the house. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2024

There’s a general flow to the meal—usually sashimi and cold dishes in the beginning, fried and grilled things towards the middle, and then a rice or udon at the end, a bit of starch to fill you up and soak up the alcohol. —Jessica Carbone, Saveur, 3 Apr. 2024

The first is Larry Culp, who’s engineered a sorcerous turnaround at General Electric—greatly streamlining its manufacturing flow by tapping the expertise of the assembly line folks who make the jet engines and power turbines. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024

Over time, these plaques can restrict blood flow to the heart and other parts of the body.3 Blood pressure that’s higher than normal can have a similar effect. —Lauryn Higgins, Health, 27 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English flōwan; akin to Old High German flouwen to rinse, wash, Latin pluere to rain, Greek plein to sail, float

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing flow

• cash flow
• flow diagram
• go against the flow
• flow cytometry
• go with the flow
• turbulent flow
• in full flow
• flow sheet
• flow-through entity
• work flow
• gene flow
• inter-flow
• peak flow meter
• ebb and flow
• laminar flow

Kids Definition

flow

1 of 2 verb

ˈflō 

1

: to move in a stream

2

: rise entry 1 sense 5a

the tide ebbs and flows

3

: to glide or pass smoothly and readily

4

: to hang loose and waving

her gown flowed around her

5

: to come from as a source

money that flows from trade

flowingly

-iŋ-lē 

adverb

flow

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act of flowing

2

a

: flood entry 1 sense 1

b

: the flowing in of the tide

the tide's ebb and flow

3

a

: a smooth even movement

b

: a mass of matter that has flowed when melted

a lava flow

4

: the quantity that flows in a certain time

the flow of water over a dam

Medical Definition

flow

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈflō 

1

: to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles

blood flows toward the heart in veins

2

: menstruate

flow

2 of 2 noun

1

: the quantity that flows in a certain time

2

: menstruation

3

: the motion characteristic of fluids