streamline

1 of 2

noun

stream·​line ˈstrēm-ˌlīn How to pronounce streamline (audio)
1
: the path of a particle in a fluid relative to a solid body past which the fluid is moving in smooth flow without turbulence
2
a
: a contour designed to minimize resistance to motion through a fluid (such as air)
b
: a smooth or flowing line designed as if for decreasing air resistance

streamline

2 of 2

verb

streamlined; streamlining; streamlines

transitive verb

1
: to design or construct with a streamline
2
: to bring up to date : modernize
3
a
: to put in order : organize
b
: to make simpler or more efficient
a system that streamlines the process

Example Sentences

Verb The manufacturer has streamlined the car's design. The business is looking for ways to streamline production.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
While there have been some dire warnings issued about the threat the technology poses, hospitals see it as a useful tool to streamline administrative tasks and, perhaps one day, improve patient care. Jessica Bartlett, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2023 With a backlog of nearly 1,000 unfulfilled requests and a strained and understaffed office to handle them, Louisville is taking steps to reshape its open records compliance procedures, with plans to bolster staffing and streamline the response process. Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 25 May 2023 Jeff Cretan, spokesperson for Mayor London Breed, said that since the passage of Prop. H to streamline the opening of small businesses in the fall of 2020, 3,520 projects have benefitted. Heather Knight, San Francisco Chronicle, 12 May 2023 It is also expected to streamline an adjudication process that has varied from state to state and has often taken months or even years to settle cases. Joe Drape, New York Times, 9 May 2023 The news comes on the heels of additional updates to streamline the guest experience, like complimentary overnight self-parking at Disney Resort hotels. Carly Caramanna, Travel + Leisure, 8 May 2023 With the power of machine learning and AI, each step of the drug discovery process can be streamlined, reducing time-to-market by several years and millions of dollars. Siby Vadakekkara, Forbes, 5 May 2023 Gosch, who answers calls from relatives when an Indigenous person goes missing, says the alert system has streamlined the case response and highlighted their urgency. Nicole Chavez, CNN, 5 May 2023 Charles has spoken often of his desire to streamline the modern-day monarchy, and in a gesture toward simplicity — a relative concept in this context — the coronation will include sustainability-friendly gestures like the reuse of some robes from past investitures, rather than having new ones made. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'streamline.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of streamline was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near streamline

Cite this Entry

“Streamline.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streamline. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

streamline

verb
stream·​line
ˈstrēm-ˌlīn
1
: to design or construct with an outline which makes motion through water or air easier
2
: to bring up to date : modernize
3
: to make simpler, more effective, or more productive

More from Merriam-Webster on streamline

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