stream (strēm)
n.

1. 1. A flow of water in a channel or bed, as a brook, rivulet, or small river.
   2. A steady current in such a flow of water.
2. A steady current of a fluid.
3. A steady flow or succession: a stream of insults. See synonyms at flow.
4. A trend, course, or drift, as of opinion, thought, or history.
5. A beam or ray of light.
6. Chiefly British. A course of study to which students are tracked.

v., streamed, stream·ing, streams.

v.intr.

1. To flow in or as if in a stream.
2. To pour forth or give off a stream; flow: My eyes were streaming with tears.
3. To come or go in large numbers; pour: Traffic was streaming by. Fan mail streamed in.
4. To extend, wave, or float outward: The banner streamed in the breeze.
5. 1. To leave a continuous trail of light.
   2. To give forth a continuous stream of light rays or beams; shine.

v.tr.

1. To emit, discharge, or exude (a body fluid, for example).
2. Computer Science. To transmit (data) in real time, especially over the Internet.

idiom:

on stream

1. In or into operation or production: a new power plant soon to go on stream.

[Middle English streme, from Old English strēam.]

streamy stream'y adj.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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