noun
Common
streaming
STREE-mihng
Streaming (noun) means watching or listening to audio or video sent continuously over the internet, rather than downloaded first. Example: “Streaming lets us watch the match without downloading anything first.”
noun
1
Watching or listening to audio or video sent continuously over the internet, rather than downloaded first.
"Streaming lets us watch the match without downloading anything first."
"We cancelled cable and now rely on streaming for our evening shows."
"Streaming has largely replaced buying DVDs."
adj
1
Flowing continuously, like water or light.
"Tears were streaming down his face as he laughed."
"Rain came streaming off the roof into the garden."
"Sunlight came streaming through the curtains."
How to use streaming
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWatching or listening to media live over the internet, or (as an adjective) flowing steadily.
Common pairings
streaming service
streaming video
live streaming
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Word forms
- Plural
- streamings
- Comparative
- more streaming
- Superlative
- most streaming
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ lets us watch the match without downloading anything first.
Etymology
Comes from Middle English stremyng, stremynge or stremande, equivalent to stream plus -ing.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for streaming
See all rhymes for streaming →Frequently asked questions
What does “streaming” mean?
The word “streaming” means watching or listening to audio or video sent continuously over the internet, rather than downloaded first. In plain terms, watching or listening to media live over the internet, or (as an adjective) flowing steadily.
How do you pronounce “streaming”?
“Streaming” is pronounced STREE-mihng (/ˈstɹiːmɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “streaming” in a sentence?
Here is “streaming” used in a sentence: “Streaming has largely replaced buying DVDs.”
What part of speech is “streaming”?
Depending on how it is used, “streaming” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “streaming” a common word?
“Streaming” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “streaming” have?
“Streaming” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: watching or listening to audio or video sent continuously over the internet, rather than downloaded first.
What is the difference between streaming and downloading?
Streaming plays audio or video continuously over the internet in real time, without saving a permanent copy on your device. Downloading transfers the whole file to your device first, so it is stored locally and can be watched or listened to later without an internet connection.
When should you use 'streaming' as an adjective versus a noun?
As a noun, 'streaming' refers to the activity itself, as in 'streaming has replaced cable TV'. As an adjective it modifies another word, as in 'a streaming service' or 'streaming video', and it can also mean flowing continuously, as in 'streaming light'.
Does 'streaming' always relate to the internet?
No. In its most common modern sense, streaming means watching or listening to media sent continuously over the internet. But 'streaming' also carries an older, literal meaning of flowing continuously like water or light, as in 'tears streaming down her face'.
