stream: Meaning and Definition of

stream

Pronunciation: (strēm), [key]
— n.
  1. a body of water flowing in a channel or watercourse, as a river, rivulet, or brook.
  2. a steady current in water, as in a river or the ocean: to row against the stream; the Gulf Stream.
  3. any flow of water or other liquid or fluid: streams of blood.
  4. a current or flow of air, gas, or the like.
  5. a beam or trail of light: A stream of moonlight fell from the clouds.
  6. a continuous flow or succession of anything: a stream of words.
  7. prevailing direction; drift: the stream of opinion.
  8. in or into operation: The factory will be on stream in a month.
—v.i.
  1. to flow, pass, or issue in a stream, as water, tears, or blood.
  2. to send forth or throw off a stream; run or flow (often fol. by with): eyes streaming with tears.
  3. to extend in a beam or in rays, as light: Sunlight streamed in through the windows.
  4. to move or proceed continuously like a flowing stream, as a procession.
  5. to wave or float outward, as a flag in the wind.
  6. to hang in a loose, flowing manner, as long hair.
—v.t.
  1. to send forth or discharge in a stream: The wound streamed blood.
  2. to cause to stream or float outward, as a flag.
  3. to place (an object) in the water at the end of a line attached to a vessel.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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