streak

1 of 2

noun

ˈstrēk 

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

streak

2 of 2

verb

streaked; streaking; streaks

transitive verb

: to make streaks on or in

tears streaking her face

intransitive verb

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

Synonyms of streak

Noun

• stripe

Verb

• stripe

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

Noun

Matthew Schaefer and Cal Ritchie scored in the first period for New York, with Anthony Duclair assisting on both, and the Islanders extended their winning streak to three games. —CBS News, 14 Dec. 2025

The Stars have dropped back-to-back games after having their four-game winning streak snapped by the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. —Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025

Verb

Geminid meteors appear to streak through the sky travelling away from the constellation Gemini, which plays host to the gas giant Jupiter throughout December. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 15 Dec. 2025

This weekend, dozens of meteors, including some especially brilliant ones called fireballs, are expected to streak across the night sky in a dazzling display. —Gina Park, CNN Money, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English streke, from Old English strica; akin to Old High German strich line, Latin striga row — more at strike

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1576, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing streak

• blue streak
• hot streak
• mean streak
• on a hot streak
• primitive streak
• rebellious streak
• streak camera
• stubborn streak
• talk a blue streak
• winning/losing streak

Rhymes for streak

• beak
• beek
• bleak
• cheek
• chic
• clique
• creak
• creek
• eke
• freak
• geek
• greek

Kids Definition

streak

1 of 2 noun

ˈstrēk 

1

: 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

a

: a small amount : trace, strain

streak of stubbornness

b

: a brief period or series

a streak of luck

was on a winning streak

5

: a narrow layer

a streak of fat in bacon

streak

2 of 2 verb

1

: 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 noun

ˈstrēk 

1

: 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