plural streams
1
: a natural flow of water that is smaller than a river
a mountain stream
A stream flows/runs through the field.
2
: any flow of liquid or gas
—often + of
a stream of urine
A stream of cold air came in through the crack.
3
: a continuous flow of people or things
—usually + of
a stream of words
The island is visited by a continuous/constant/steady stream of tourists.
an endless stream of traffic
4
British
: track entry 1 sense 8
streams; streamed; streaming
1
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to move in a steady flow
Tears streamed down his cheeks.
I could feel the cold air streaming in through the crack in the window.
Sunlight was streaming in through the window.
rays of light streaming through the clouds
2
of the body or a body part
a
: to produce a liquid continuously and often in large amounts
—usually + with
Her eyes were streaming with tears.
Her eyes streamed tears.
b
: to be or become wet with a liquid
His face streamed with sweat.
3
always followed by an adverb or preposition
: to come or flow continuously to a place in large numbers
People streamed into the hall.
Immigrants streamed into the country.
Hundreds of letters streamed in from listeners.
4
: to move freely in one direction especially in wind or water
Her long hair streamed behind her as she ran.
5
British
: to group students in a particular grade according to their abilities and needs : track
Children were streamed according to ability.
Cite this Entry
“Stream.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/stream. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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