streak

1 of 3

noun (1)

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 streaks 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 3

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

streaker

3 of 3

noun (2)

streak·​er

ˈstrēkə(r)

plural -s

1

[streak entry 1 + -er; from the usually seven black stripes from gill cover to tail base of the yellow bass]

a

: yellow bass

b

: white bass sense 1

2

: a person who runs naked through a public place : a person who engages in streaking

Synonyms of streak

Noun (1)

• stripe

Verb

• stripe

Examples of streak in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

His primary takeaway from those thousands of conversations, Achilles said, is that, at its core, Idaho maintains an independent streak. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026

Nick Robertson scored two goals, Arturs Silovs made 26 saves and the host Pittsburgh Penguins snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-0 win against the Florida Panthers on Thursday. — Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

Verb

The Orionids bring streaking fireballs Orionid meteors are known to fly by at high speeds, streaking through Earth’s atmosphere at 41 miles per second (66 kilometers per second). — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2026

In the novels, Violet is described as a small, frail cadet with dark black hair subtly streaked with silver who requires significantly more dragon-riding practice and precision than her peers. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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