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

This sheet cake produces lime-green streaks visible when cutting the cake. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025

The Hornets succumbed to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 122-105, upping their losing streak to three games on the heels of a trio of spirited outings to begin the 2025-26 campaign. —Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 2 Nov. 2025

Verb

Just be sure to look for liners topped with rust-resistant metal grommets, as a trail of rust streaking your liner can be very unsightly. —Shivani Vyas, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Nov. 2025

In an early-season roadie against Rhode Island University, a Harvard safety streaked upfield to lay a blind-side shot on a wide-out. —Nick Stern, Rolling Stone, 30 Oct. 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