stream
gb/stɹˈim/ us/stɹˈim/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
small river or brook
A small river of moving water.
Usage pattern:
a stream of [water]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'stream' with 'river'; a stream is usually smaller and narrower.
Synonyms
brook (A very small natural stream, often in rural settings.)
Antonyms
pond (A still body of water, the opposite of flowing water.)
Collocations
mountain stream
|stream bank
|stream bed
|fast-flowing stream
Themes
nature
|geography
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We followed the stream through the forest.
- A wooden bridge crossed the stream.
- The stream was full of fish in the spring.
- She sat by the stream and listened to the water.
- After the rain, the stream overflowed its banks.
Learner examples
- There is a stream near my house.
- The stream goes through the park.
- We saw ducks in the stream.
- The children play by the stream.
- The stream has clean water.
Verb
B1
action
2
play or send media online
To watch or listen to something on the internet without downloading it first.
Usage pattern:
to stream [music/video]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'stream' with 'download'; streaming does not save the whole file first.
Synonyms
broadcast (Often refers to live transmission; 'stream' can be live or on-demand online.)
Antonyms
download (To transfer a complete file before use, opposite to streaming where playback is immediate.)
Collocations
stream a movie
|stream live
|stream music
|stream content
Themes
technology
|entertainment
|communication
Examples
- We streamed the concert live from New York.
- You can stream your favorite shows on this platform.
- He streams video games for his followers.
- They streamed the interview online.
- Many people now stream music instead of buying CDs.
Learner examples
- I like to stream movies at night.
- She streams music on her phone.
- We streamed the game online.
- He streams videos every day.
- You can stream this show for free.
Noun
B2
event
3
steady flow of items or data
A steady movement of things like people or data in one direction.
Usage pattern:
a stream of [things/people]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with physical water streams; context determines if it is literal or figurative.
Synonyms
flow (General term for steady movement; 'stream' may suggest a more concentrated or organized flow.)
Antonyms
interruption (A break in continuity, opposite to a steady flow.)
Collocations
stream of traffic
|stream of visitors
|data stream
|income stream
Themes
daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- A constant stream of tourists came into the museum.
- The stream of data was analyzed in real time.
- They have a steady income stream from their investments.
- A stream of cars passed by on the highway.
- He faced a stream of questions from reporters.
Learner examples
- There is a stream of cars on the road.
- We saw a stream of people at the concert.
- She has a stream of emails every day.
- The company has a good income stream.
- The news site shows a live stream of stories.
Verb
B2
action
4
flow like liquid or particles
To move like water in one direction without stopping.
Usage pattern:
[things] stream [somewhere]
Common mistake:
Learners may use 'flow' instead when 'stream' would be more vivid for continuous, directional movement.
Synonyms
pour (Implies heavy or abundant flow; 'stream' can be lighter or steadier.)
Antonyms
trickle (Very slow or small flow, opposite to a strong or steady stream.)
Collocations
tears streamed down
|people streaming into
|light streaming through
Themes
motion
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Tears streamed down her face.
- Sunlight streamed through the window.
- Fans streamed into the stadium before the match.
- Blood streamed from the wound.
- Messages streamed in after the announcement.
Learner examples
- Water streams down the hill after rain.
- Light streams into the room every morning.
- People streamed into the shop when it opened.
- Tears streamed down his face when he was sad.
- Smoke streamed from the chimney.
Grammar
Dictionary form
stream
IPA
GB/stɹˈim/
US/stɹˈim/
Syllables & stress
stream (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (stream)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: stream
- Plural: streams
Verb
- Base: stream
- 3rd Person Singular: streams
- Present Participle: streaming
- Past: streamed
Word family
Forms
streams
noun
streaming
verb
streamed
verb
Related words
Advanced or less common
mainstream
adjective B2
Expressions
in full stream
1/ˈɪn fˈʊl stɹˈim/
idiom
at peak level of activity or flow
Happening at its most active point.
Examples
- The negotiations were in full stream when we arrived.
- The festival was already in full stream by noon.
live stream
1/lˈaɪv stɹˈim/
fixed phrase
real-time online video/audio feed
A video or audio broadcast that happens on the internet while it is being recorded.
Examples
- They hosted a live stream of the concert on social media.
- The match will be available via live stream on the official website.
stream of consciousness
1/stɹˈim əv kˈɑnʃəsnəs/
idiom
literary
continuous unstructured flow of thoughts
A way of writing that shows all of someone's thoughts and feelings as they happen, without order or structure.
Examples
- The novel uses a stream of consciousness style to explore the character's mind.
- Her diary entry was a pure stream of consciousness.