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Definition of flow
intransitive verb
1a (1) : to issue or move in a stream rivers flow into the sea (2) : circulateb : 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
4a : to proceed smoothly and readily conversation flowed easilyb : 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
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Examples of flow in a Sentence
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.
Recent Examples of flow from the Web
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One explanation is that more work is being done by advanced computers, with the rewards flowing to the narrow elite that owns them.
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Those with less energy flow back toward the source.
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Many Pakistanis blame India for using dams to divert river water that, under a treaty signed in the 1960s, should be flowing into Pakistan.
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And American Roads CEO Neal Belitsky said the bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway will be restriped to establish a special center lane that could open -- flowing north or south -- as demand dictates.
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Chinese officials worry that money flowing out for overseas purchases will exacerbate the currency’s depreciation.
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Greg Maddux and Bo Jackson were teammates at Tuesday's KMPG Women's PGA Championship Pro-Am at Olympia Fields Country Club, but the competitive juices were flowing between the two nonetheless.
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So the fight several years ago over a pollution budget for the stream that flows through eastern Jefferson County became a statewide concern among agricultural interests.
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Lavish public entertainments might feature balloon launches, fountains flowing with wine, or temporary temples and triumphal arches that doubled as launch pads for fireworks.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of flow
Middle English, from Old English flōwan; akin to Old High German flouwen to rinse, wash, Latin pluere to rain, Greek plein to sail, float
Synonym Discussion of flow
flow
Definition of flow
1 : an act of flowing
3a : a smooth uninterrupted movement or progress a flow of informationb : stream; also : a mass of material which has flowed when molten an old lava flowc : 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
6a : the motion characteristic of fluidsb : a continuous transfer of energy
Examples of flow in a Sentence
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 of flow from the Web
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A blockage of blood flow to the brain can cause a stroke; other complications include heart disease and lung and kidney disease.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flow'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of flow
see 1flow
FLOW Defined for English Language Learners
flow
playDefinition of flow for English Language Learners
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of liquid, gas, or electricity : to move in a steady and continuous way
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: to move in a continuous and smooth way
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: to move, come, or go continuously in one direction
flow
Definition of flow for English Language Learners
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: an act of flowing : the movement of something that is flowing
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: a large area of mud or some other material that is flowing or that was formed by flowing
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: the amount of something that flows in a certain time
FLOW Defined for Kids
Definition of flow for Students
flowed
;flowing
1 : to move in or as if in a stream The river flows to the sea. She felt relief flow through her.
2 : to glide along smoothly Traffic is flowing on the highway.
3 : to hang loose and waving Her hair flowed down.
Definition of flow for Students
1 : an act of moving in or as if in a stream a flow of tears a flow of praise
2 : the rise of the tide the ebb and flow of the tide
3 : a smooth even movement : stream the flow of conversation a flow of information
4 : an amount or mass of something moving in a stream blood flow
Medical Dictionary
Medical Definition of flow
1: to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles blood flows toward the heart in veins
2: menstruate
flow
Medical Definition of flow
1: the quantity that flows in a certain time
2: menstruation
3: the motion characteristic of fluids
Learn More about flow
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See words that rhyme with flow Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for flow Spanish Central: Translation of flow Nglish: Translation of flow for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flow for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flow
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