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
streaked; streaking; streaks
: to make streaks on or in
tears streaking her face
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
Daniel Popper, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
The Aggies extended their winning streak over the Mustangs of the Central Coast to nine games and lead a series that started in 1939 to 28-20-2.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
October is nearly here in Michigan and skygazers, this month will be your chance to see four meteor showers streak across the night sky.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for streak
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Noun
The through-line in the losing streak has been undisciplined play in all three phases.
—Daniel Popper, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
The Aggies extended their winning streak over the Mustangs of the Central Coast to nine games and lead a series that started in 1939 to 28-20-2.
—Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
As New Orleans Saints safety Jordan Howden streaked down the field without a New York Giants player in sight, a familiar feeling set in.
—Dan Duggan, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
October is nearly here in Michigan and skygazers, this month will be your chance to see four meteor showers streak across the night sky.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for streak
Cite this Entry
“Streak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streak. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
streak
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
5
: a narrow layer
a streak of fat in bacon
streak
2 of 2 verb1
: 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 noun1
: 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
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