stream

The word “stream” means a small natural flow of water, smaller than a river. In plain terms, a small river, or any steady flow of something — including, today, watching or broadcasting video/audio online.

“Stream” is pronounced STREEM (/ˈstɹiːm/ in IPA).

Here is “stream” used in a sentence: “They waded across the shallow stream to reach the trail.”

Depending on how it is used, “stream” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “stream” comes from Old English. From Old English strēam, from a very old root meaning "to flow" — the same root gives us the word "rheum.".

“Stream” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Stream” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small natural flow of water, smaller than a river.

The difference is mainly size and strength of flow. A stream is a small, narrow, usually shallow flow of water that you can often step across. A river is much larger, wider and deeper, and is typically fed by many streams. In short, streams are small watercourses and rivers are large ones.

They are very similar, and the choice of word is often regional. 'Creek' is common in the United States and Australia for a small stream, though in British English a creek can mean a narrow tidal inlet. In general use, stream and creek both describe a small, flowing body of water.

Small watercourses go by several names. A brook or rill is a very small stream, a creek is a modest one, and a tributary is a stream that flows into a larger river. Streams may also be permanent or seasonal, drying up in warmer months and returning after heavy rain.