1
: a line or mark of a different color or texture from the background : stripe
2
a
: a narrow band of light
the first stripes of dawn
b
: a lightning bolt
3
a
: a quality that is noticeable especially because it is different from other qualities
had a mean streak in him
b
: a brief run (as of luck)
c
: a consecutive series
was on a winning streak
4
: a narrow layer (as of ore or fat)
5
: an act or instance of streaking
6
a
: the color of the fine powder of a mineral obtained by scratching or rubbing against a hard white surface and constituting an important distinguishing characteristic
b
: inoculum implanted in a line on a solid medium
c
: any of numerous virus diseases of plants (such as tobacco and corn) resembling mosaic but usually producing at least some linear markings
streaked; streaking; streaks
: to make streaks on or in
tears streaking her face
1
: to move swiftly : rush
a jet streaking across the sky
2
: to have a streak (as of winning or outstanding performances)
3
: to run naked through a public place
streaker
noun
Examples of streak in a Sentence
Noun
He left streaks where he wiped the glass.
The miners had streaks of coal dust on their faces.
a streak of 11 straight victories
Verb
A shooting star streaked across the sky.
A skateboarder streaked past us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Mahoney, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Tune in to the next episode to see if the winner will extend the streak or go home.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
When Colorado opened a few games with waves of offense in the opening minutes, stringing long sequences of offensive-zone time together, the Golden Knights found trigger points to streak the other way.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for streak
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
The Knicks had their 13-game winning streak, the second-longest in NBA postseason history, snapped and missed a chance to move to the brink of their first championship since 1973.
—Brian Mahoney, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
Tune in to the next episode to see if the winner will extend the streak or go home.
—Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 9 June 2026
Verb
Trickles of blood streaked his legs.
—Byron W. Dalrymple, Outdoor Life, 4 June 2026
When Colorado opened a few games with waves of offense in the opening minutes, stringing long sequences of offensive-zone time together, the Golden Knights found trigger points to streak the other way.
—Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for streak
Cite this Entry
“Streak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streak. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
streak
1 of 2 noun1
: a line or mark of a different color or texture from its background : stripe
2
: the color of the fine powder of a mineral obtained by scratching or rubbing against a hard white surface
3
a
: a narrow band of light
b
: a lightning bolt
4
5
: a narrow layer
a streak of fat in bacon
streak
2 of 2 verb1
: to make or have streaks on or in
2
: to move swiftly : rush
a jet streaking across the sky
Medical Definition
streak
1 of 2 noun1
: a usually irregular line or stripe see primitive streak
2
: inoculum implanted (as with a needle drawn across the surface) in a line on a solid medium
streak
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to implant (inoculum) in a line on a solid medium
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
