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

The 15th year of that streak of futility was clinched Sunday with a 34-10 blowout loss to the Dolphins, a game in which the Jets had no option but to inflict an undrafted rookie quarterback from Missouri onto the sparse MetLife Stadium crowd — one that booed him after his first three-and-out. —Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 8 Dec. 2025

In running their winning streak to 10 games, the Broncos also ended their NFL record of rallying for nine consecutive victories. —CBS News, 8 Dec. 2025

Verb

But Kai Rosier returned the ensuing kickoff 38 yards to the Christian 48-yard line, and on first down Runkle found senior receiver Ronnie Scott streaking down the right sidle and hit him in stride for a 52-yard touchdown pass to ice the game. —Rick Hoff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025

Jackson’s pick-six buried that streak even further. —Charlotte Observer, 30 Nov. 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