streamlining
streamlining — noun
1. an imaginary line that shows the path a single particle of a liquid or gas follo
an imaginary line that shows the path a single particle of a liquid or gas follows when it flows smoothly around a solid object, without forming swirls or eddies
The engineering students drew streamlines around the wing cross-section to study lift.
common collocations: draw streamlines, streamlines around [object]
When the airflow is steady, the streamlines remain parallel and evenly spaced on the computer model.
streamlines remain parallel (describes smooth flow)
A visible streamline was created in the water tank by releasing a thin dye trail from the nose of the submarine model.
The professor explained that where streamlines come close together, the fluid moves faster.
文法句型
streamlines of [fluid] around [object]
用法筆記
Countable; technical term most common in fluid dynamics textbooks and engineering contexts. Often used in the plural ('streamlines') to refer to the full pattern of flow.
常見錯誤
2. a smooth outer shape given to a car, aircraft, train, or other moving object so
a smooth outer shape given to a car, aircraft, train, or other moving object so that air or water can pass over it with very little resistance
The bullet train's streamlining reduces both wind noise and energy consumption at high speeds.
streamlining reduces [energy consumption / wind noise]
Modern cycling helmets feature careful streamlining so that riders face less drag on the road.
The design team added streamlining to the car body by sloping the roofline and smoothing the side mirrors.
Streamlining is especially important for aircraft because even a small reduction in drag saves a great deal of fuel.
- aerodynamic design
broader term covering all aspects of reducing drag, not just the shape
- smoothing
less precise; describes the physical action without the technical goal of drag reduction
文法句型
streamlining of [object]
have streamlining
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the concept or design feature; countable when referring to a specific instance of streamlining on a particular object.
常見錯誤
3. a visual style or design feature that uses long, flowing, curved lines to give a
a visual style or design feature that uses long, flowing, curved lines to give an object a graceful and modern appearance, regardless of whether it actually moves through air
The toaster from the 1950s had decorative streamlining with chrome curves that made it look fast even when sitting on the counter.
decorative streamlining (aesthetic, not functional)
Interior designers borrowed streamlining from the automotive world to create furniture with smooth, unbroken surfaces.
The architect used streamlining in the shape of the building entrance, with curved glass panels flowing from the roof down to the ground floor.
Streamlining became a defining feature of Art Deco furniture, with its rounded edges and glossy lacquered surfaces.
- sleekness
focuses more on the polished, glossy finish than on the contour itself
- smooth contours
more literal description of the lines and curves
- angularity
design characterised by sharp edges and corners rather than flowing curves
文法句型
streamlining in [product/design]
用法筆記
This sense is about aesthetic style inspired by aerodynamic shapes, not about functional drag reduction. Common in design history and product styling discussions.
常見錯誤
streamlining — verb
- streamliningpresent simple I / you / we / they
- streamlinings3rd person singular
- streamlininging-ing form
- streamliningedpast simple
1. to give a vehicle, object, or structure a smooth, tapered shape that allows air,
to give a vehicle, object, or structure a smooth, tapered shape that allows air, water, or other fluid to pass around it with the least possible resistance
The engineers streamlined the racing yacht hull so that it could cut through the water more efficiently.
streamline [object] so that it can... (purpose clause)
Each new model of high-speed train is carefully streamlined to reduce noise and vibration inside the passenger cars.
passive: be streamlined to [purpose]
The design firm streamlined the drone casing by removing every surface that caught the wind.
Wind-tunnel tests showed that the prototype needed to be streamlined further around the wheel arches.
文法句型
streamline [object]
be streamlined for [purpose]
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice when describing the design process, e.g., 'The car was streamlined for better fuel economy.' The -ing form 'streamlining' (this entry's headword) is the gerund/participle form of this verb.
常見錯誤
2. to make a system, organization, or set of procedures work more effectively by re
to make a system, organization, or set of procedures work more effectively by removing unnecessary steps, simplifying rules, or using more efficient methods
The hospital streamlined its patient check-in process by introducing a single digital form that replaces five paper documents.
streamline [process] by [method] — common business pattern
The operations manager streamlined the warehouse workflow, cutting the average packing time from twelve minutes to seven.
After the software upgrade, the finance team was able to streamline monthly reporting and close the books three days earlier.
The company plans to streamline its supply chain by consolidating shipments and reducing the number of warehouse locations.
- simplify
close in meaning but broader; simplifying something does not necessarily make it faster, just easier to understand
- rationalise
more formal; often implies cutting resources or staff alongside procedural changes
- modernise
focus on updating technology and methods rather than removing steps
- complicate
to make something more complex or difficult
- burden with bureaucracy
to add excessive administrative steps that slow down a process
文法句型
streamline [process/system/organization]
streamline [noun] by [verb]-ing
用法筆記
By far the most frequent sense in modern business and everyday English. The object is always abstract: a process, system, procedure, workflow, department, or organization — never a physical object. Frequently used in the passive when describing organisational changes.