downstream
In the direction of flowing water
In the same direction that a river or water moves, away from where it starts.
to go/move/float downstream (from [a place])
- The boat drifted downstream after the engine failed.
- Pollution from the factory can be detected many miles downstream.
- We started our kayak trip near the bridge and paddled downstream to the next town.
- Fish tend to spread downstream during the rainy season.
- A fallen tree blocked the river, and logs piled up just downstream.
- The water moves quickly downstream.
- They took a small boat and went downstream.
- Oil from the ship spread downstream along the river.
- The town is ten kilometers downstream from the dam.
- Leaves float downstream in the autumn.
At a later stage in a process
Happening or placed later in a process or system, usually because of something that happened before.
[downstream] [effects/processes/tasks/activities] of [something]
- These bugs in the core system are causing serious downstream effects for our customers.
- If we change the pricing model, we need to think about the downstream impact on sales and support.
- Good data governance reduces many downstream problems in reporting and analytics.
- The team only handles downstream tasks once the design has been approved.
- Cutting corners at this stage will create downstream risks for the entire project.
- Bad decisions today can have many downstream problems in the future.
- We must think about downstream effects before we act.
- This rule change will have big downstream impact on small companies.
- Better training of staff will reduce downstream customer complaints.
- The software team deals with downstream issues after the product is launched.
Located further along a flow
In a place that is farther along a river or water flow, in the same direction the water moves.
[a/an/the] downstream [town/area/side/end/community]
- Several downstream communities depend on this dam for drinking water.
- The downstream side of the bridge is more affected by erosion.
- Farmers in downstream areas complained about reduced water flow.
- We measured pollution levels at several downstream sites.
- Downstream villages were flooded after heavy rain in the mountains.
- Many downstream towns get their water from this river.
- The downstream area has a lot of farms.
- People in downstream villages were told to leave because of the flood.
- The factory sends dirty water into the river, and downstream communities are worried.
- Fish are dying in the downstream part of the lake.
Further along a biological pathway
In biology or chemistry, happening or placed later in a chain of reactions or in a DNA or cell signal path, starting from a fixed point.
[a/an/the] downstream [gene/target/pathway/effect]
- Activation of this receptor triggers multiple downstream signaling pathways.
- The mutation affects a downstream gene involved in cell division.
- These drugs block a downstream step in the inflammatory response.
- We observed reduced expression of several downstream targets of the transcription factor.
- Downstream effects include changes in hormone levels and gene transcription.
- The hormone starts a signal that has many downstream steps in the cell.
- A change in one protein can change many downstream reactions.
- This drug blocks a downstream part of the pain pathway.
- The problem is not in this gene but in a downstream gene it controls.
- Scientists studied the downstream effects of this mutation.
Refining and marketing sector
In the oil and gas industry, the business of turning oil and gas into products like fuel and selling them to customers.
the downstream; upstream and downstream
- The company plans to invest more heavily in its downstream operations.
- Profits fell in the upstream business but rose in downstream refining and marketing.
- Environmental rules are increasing costs across the downstream sector.
- They are trying to expand their downstream presence in Asian markets.
- The merger will create one of the largest downstream players in Europe.
- He works in the downstream part of an oil company.
- Many jobs in the downstream sector are in refineries.
- The company wants to grow its downstream business.
- New rules make downstream operations more expensive.
- Profits from downstream helped the company during low oil prices.
- Base: downstream
downstream effects
1Effects that show up later
Results that appear later in a process because of something that happened before.
- We need to think about the downstream effects of cutting the education budget.
- Poor data quality can have serious downstream effects on decision-making.
- The policy had unexpected downstream effects on small businesses.
downstream from
1Located further along a flow
In a place that is farther along a river, pipe, or other flow, starting from a named place.
- The village lies about ten kilometers downstream from the dam.
- Factories downstream from the city complained about the new water rules.
- The water is cleaner a few miles downstream from the industrial area.
downstream processing
1Later steps to purify a product
In biotechnology or manufacturing, the steps after the main production, where a product is cleaned, separated, and prepared for use.
- Downstream processing is often the most expensive part of biopharmaceutical production.
- Improved downstream processing can increase yield and reduce costs.
- The team is focusing on automating downstream processing steps.
upstream and downstream
1Earlier and later stages together
Both the early parts and the later parts of a river, process, system, or business chain.
- We need to coordinate teams working upstream and downstream on this project.
- The company operates upstream and downstream, from oil production to fuel sales.
- Changes in regulation will affect both upstream and downstream activities.