STREAM | Definition and Meaning

Definition of Stream

Stream

Definition/Meaning

(noun)

A small, narrow river or a flow of data or information.

e.g. The hikers followed the stream through the dense forest.

(noun)

a constant flow of something, typically gas, air, liquid, or some particles;

e.g. The samples were treated with a stream of hot air to dry them.

(noun)

a large number of people or things that move or come continuously, one after the other, or a series of things that occur one after the other;

e.g. A stream of cars passed by, preventing me from seeing what was on the other side of the road. He received a stream of phone calls asking about the product he was selling.

(noun)

a constant supply or steady series of something, for example the generally-held attitude towards something or the dominant course of something;

e.g. My question interrupted her stream of thought and she forgot what she had been saying. He followed the stream of public opinion and tried to appeal to them in his campaign.

(noun)

a continuous flow or supply of data that is delivered in a predictable way, usually for immediate use or consideration, especially (computing) a supply of audio and video content that is transmitted over the internet to be immediately taken in;

e.g. They set up a stream of their wedding for their relatives who couldn't attend.

(verb)

to continuously flow or move in a particular direction, referring to a liquid or a series of people or things, or to produce a constant supply of something;

e.g. The students started to stream out of the building when the bell rang. My eyes started to stream with tears as I read the letter.

(verb)

(computing) to provide a constant supply of data in the form of audio or video to be transmitted over the internet and consumed immediately, or to access such digital content;

e.g. They decided to stream a movie and watch it together.