streak

1 of 2

noun

1
: a line or mark of a different color or texture from the ground : stripe
2
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 character
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
3
a
: a narrow band of light
b
: a lightning bolt
4
a
: a slight admixture : trace
had a mean streak in him
b
: a brief run (as of luck)
c
: a consecutive series
was on a winning streak
5
: a narrow layer (as of fat)
6
: an act or instance of streaking

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

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
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
Good — and good fortune There’s no telling how far SDSU kicker Gabe Plascencia can extend his record consecutive field goal streak. Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025 The squeamishness reflects a certain independent streak held by voters in both states and a willingness by some to push back. Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
Plan your visit around a night launch to see rockets streak through the sky. Maggie Downs, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2025 Mateychuk was streaking through the slot when Monahan found him from behind the net. Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for streak

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of streak was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Streak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streak. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

streak

1 of 2 noun
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
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

More from Merriam-Webster on streak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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