streams
streams — noun
- streamssingular
- streamsesplural
1. a small, narrow body of water that moves naturally across the land through a gro
a small, narrow body of water that moves naturally across the land through a groove worn into the earth, often feeding into a river or lake.
The children spent the afternoon catching frogs in the stream behind their house.
A clear mountain stream ran through the forest, making a soft sound as it passed over the rocks.
geographical description of a stream
After three days of heavy rain, the stream near the village rose dangerously high.
Esteban followed the stream for about a kilometre until he reached a small waterfall.
The old stone bridge crosses a narrow stream that divides the two farms.
文法句型
a stream of [water/liquid]
stream + geographical name
用法筆記
Smaller than a river. In everyday speech, 'brook' and 'creek' are common alternatives, though 'stream' is the most neutral term for any naturally flowing channel of water.
常見錯誤
2. a continuous movement of liquid, gas, or fine particles, often coming from a sou
a continuous movement of liquid, gas, or fine particles, often coming from a source with some force or pressure.
A stream of hot water shot out from the broken pipe and flooded the kitchen floor.
The mechanic noticed a slow stream of oil leaking from underneath the car engine.
a stream of [liquid] — continuous flow from a source
When Talia opened the bottle, a thin stream of bubbles rose to the surface.
Cold air came in through the window in a steady stream, making the room feel like a refrigerator.
The astronaut watched a stream of dust particles drift across the cabin in zero gravity.
文法句型
a stream of [liquid/gas/fluid]
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (a natural water channel), this sense describes the physical movement of any fluid substance. The stream is the flow itself, not the channel it moves through.
常見錯誤
3. the way that water is heading as it moves, often used to describe position or mo
the way that water is heading as it moves, often used to describe position or movement relative to the current.
The fisherman rowed his boat against the stream and made slow progress through the strong current.
against the stream — moving opposite to the current
Fallen leaves floated gently down the stream, carried along by the slow-moving water.
To reach the camping site, we had to walk upstream along the bank for another three miles.
Linh threw a stick into the water and watched it drift with the stream until it disappeared from sight.
文法句型
against the stream
with the stream
upstream
downstream
用法筆記
Almost always used with prepositions: 'upstream' (against the flow), 'downstream' (with the flow), 'with the stream', 'against the stream'. Not used as a standalone count noun for direction.
4. people, vehicles, messages, or events that arrive or happen one after another wi
people, vehicles, messages, or events that arrive or happen one after another with little or no gap between them.
A steady stream of visitors walked through the museum gates all morning.
a stream of [people] — continuous movement of individuals
Arjun's phone buzzed with a non-stop stream of messages from the group chat during the meeting.
The charity received a steady stream of donations after the news report aired on television.
Traffic on the highway moved in a slow stream of cars, lorries, and motorbikes during rush hour.
Kofi listened to the stream of announcements at the train station, waiting for his platform number to appear.
文法句型
a stream of [people/vehicles/words/events]
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'steady', 'constant', 'continuous', 'endless' before 'stream of'. The subject can be abstract (messages, ideas, complaints) or concrete (people, cars).
常見錯誤
5. a class formed by putting pupils of roughly equal ability and age together for l
a class formed by putting pupils of roughly equal ability and age together for lessons, as practised in some schools.
At the age of eleven, students in British secondary schools are placed into different streams based on their test results.
British education system — ability grouping
Élise was moved to the top stream in mathematics after she scored full marks on the final exam.
The school's policy of separating children into streams has been criticised for limiting the progress of slower learners.
Teachers at the school argued about whether the three streams should study the same material or different content.
文法句型
[be placed/put] in a stream
the top/bottom stream
用法筆記
Primarily British English. In American English, the equivalent term is 'track'. The practice of 'streaming' is called 'ability grouping' or 'tracking' in the US.
常見錯誤
streams — verb
- streamspresent simple I / you / we / they
- streamses3rd person singular
- streamsing-ing form
- streamsedpast simple
1. to pour out in great volume, like water gushing from a broken pipe or tears runn
to pour out in great volume, like water gushing from a broken pipe or tears running down someone's face.
Blood was streaming from a deep cut on Tariq's hand after he broke the glass.
stream from [source] — liquid flowing out of a wound
Rainwater streamed down the windows of the café, making the street outside look blurry and distant.
stream down [surface] — liquid running along a surface
Ada's face was streaming with sweat after she ran five kilometres in the afternoon heat.
Smoke streamed out of the kitchen window when Otis accidentally burnt the toast.
Tears streamed down the little girl's cheeks as she searched for her lost puppy in the park.
- trickle
to flow slowly in small amounts
文法句型
stream from [source]
stream down [surface]
stream with [liquid]
用法筆記
This verb is intransitive — it does not take a direct object. You cannot 'stream something'. For the internet meaning ('stream a movie'), see verb sense 3.
常見錯誤
2. to travel in large numbers along a route, like crowds heading toward an exit or
to travel in large numbers along a route, like crowds heading toward an exit or cars advancing along a road.
Fans streamed out of the stadium after the final whistle, filling the streets with noise and excitement.
stream out of [place] — large group exiting
Passengers streamed through the terminal doors as the airport resumed normal operations after the storm.
Commuters streamed into the central station from every direction between eight and nine o'clock each morning.
Tourists streamed past the street performers in the old town square, stopping occasionally to drop coins into hats.
Children streamed out of the school gates as soon as the bell rang, eager to start their weekend.
文法句型
stream in/out/past/through [place]
用法筆記
Almost always used with a directional preposition (in, out, through, past, into). The subject is typically a crowd of people, a line of vehicles, or animals in motion.
常見錯誤
3. to watch or listen to audio or video content over the internet in real time, or
to watch or listen to audio or video content over the internet in real time, or to broadcast such content for others — for example, watching a film on Netflix or broadcasting a video game on Twitch.
Mizuki streams her favourite Korean dramas on her tablet every evening after finishing her homework.
stream [content] — transitive, watching media
The band decided to stream their new album live from the recording studio instead of releasing it on CD.
stream [content] live — broadcasting in real time
Millions of people around the world streamed the championship match on their phones and laptops.
Kofi's internet connection was too weak to stream high-definition video, so he lowered the quality settings.
Christopher started streaming on a gaming platform last year and now has a small but loyal audience.
- watch online
descriptive but not a single-word synonym; implies active viewing
- broadcast
traditional term for TV/radio transmission; now also used for online streaming
- livestream
specifically real-time streaming, as opposed to on-demand
- download
to save a file for later use, the opposite of real-time playback
文法句型
stream [movie/music/game]
stream on [platform]
livestream [event]
用法筆記
The most common modern verb sense. Can be used transitively ('stream a movie') or intransitively ('she streams every evening'). Related noun: 'streamer' (a person who broadcasts themselves online).
常見錯誤
4. to divide students into separate groups based on their academic ability, so that
to divide students into separate groups based on their academic ability, so that each group can be taught at a level that suits them.
The school streams students by ability in mathematics and English from the age of twelve.
stream [students] by [subject] — transitive verb in UK education
Élise was streamed into the advanced group for science after her excellent test results.
Some educators argue that streaming children too early can reinforce social inequalities and damage slower learners' confidence.
In many British secondary schools, pupils are streamed for the first time when they enter Year Seven.
Tariq's parents requested that he not be streamed, because they wanted him to learn alongside classmates of all abilities.
- track
American English equivalent
- sort
more general term, not specific to education
- differentiate
teaching term for adapting instruction to different levels
- integrate
to teach students of all abilities together in the same classroom
文法句型
stream [students/pupils]
be streamed by ability
be streamed into [groups]
用法筆記
Primarily British English. The American equivalent is 'track'. Usually used passively: 'students are streamed by ability'. The noun form 'streaming' is very common in UK education policy discussions.
常見錯誤
5. to stretch outward and move freely in the air, as a flag, ribbon, hair, or smoke
to stretch outward and move freely in the air, as a flag, ribbon, hair, or smoke does when wind or motion pulls it along.
Bright ribbons streamed from the dancers' sleeves during the street parade.
stream from [point] — cloth moving outward in the air
A long red scarf streamed behind Sofia as she rode downhill on her bicycle.
stream behind [person/vehicle] — trailing in motion
The flag streamed from the ship's mast all afternoon in the sea wind.
Dark hair streamed out from under the actor's helmet as he ran onstage.
White smoke streamed behind the train as it climbed the snowy hill.
文法句型
stream from [pole/window]
stream behind [person/vehicle]
用法筆記
Used for something long and flexible that trails outward because of wind or fast movement. Unlike verb sense 1, the focus is on shape and motion in the air, not on liquid pouring out.