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

• stream
• pour

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

The death toll has rose to over 120 people killed since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the Guadalupe River and flowed through homes and summer camps in the early morning hours of July 4. —Jay Stahl, USA Today, 12 July 2025

Both the Sai and the Kok rivers flow into the Mekong, as does the Ruak, where unsafe levels of arsenic have also been found. —Michael Sullivan, NPR, 12 July 2025

Noun

Six bombs or missiles reportedly targeted entry and exit points to block attempts to evacuate the building and disrupt air flow inside. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 13 July 2025

That’s because the quick-drying fabric of these pants is perforated throughout, promoting air flow on hot, humid days. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025

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

Rhymes for flow

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

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