stream stream /ˈstriːm/

noun

1. () A natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth  ( watercourse , stream )
   a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
    We followed the stream as it wound its way through the forest
   We followed the stream as it wound its way through the forest
   
   
2. () Dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas  ( current , flow , stream )
   dominant course (suggestive of running water) of successive events or ideas
    Two streams of development run through American history
   two streams of development run through American history
    Stream of consciousness
   stream of consciousness
    The flow of thought
   the flow of thought
    The current of history
   the current of history
   
3. () The act of flowing or streaming; continuous progression  ( stream , flow )
   the act of flowing or streaming; continuous progression
     The river's flow was steady and peaceful.
   The river's flow was steady and peaceful.
   
4. () A steady flow of a fluid (usually from natural causes)  ( stream , current )
   a steady flow of a fluid (usually from natural causes)
    The raft floated downstream on the current
   the raft floated downstream on the current
    He felt a stream of air
   he felt a stream of air
    The hose ejected a stream of water
   the hose ejected a stream of water
   
5. () Something that resembles a flowing stream in moving continuously  ( flow , stream )
   something that resembles a flowing stream in moving continuously
    A stream of people emptied from the terminal
   a stream of people emptied from the terminal
    The museum had planned carefully for the flow of visitors
   the museum had planned carefully for the flow of visitors
   

verb

1. () To extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind  ( stream )
   to extend, wave or float outward, as if in the wind
    Their manes streamed like stiff black pennants in the wind
   their manes streamed like stiff black pennants in the wind
   
2. () Exude profusely  ( stream )
   exude profusely
    She was streaming with sweat
   She was streaming with sweat
    His nose streamed blood
   His nose streamed blood
   
3. () Move in large numbers  ( pullulate , teem , stream , pour , swarm )
   move in large numbers
    People were pouring out of the theater
   people were pouring out of the theater
    Beggars pullulated in the plaza
   beggars pullulated in the plaza
   
4. Flow freely and abundantly  ( stream , well out )
   flow freely and abundantly
    Tears streamed down her face
   Tears streamed down her face
   
5. Rain heavily  ( pelt , pour , rain buckets [Informal] , rain cats and dogs [Informal] , stream , chuck it down [Informal, British] , pelt down [Informal] , piss down [British, Vulgar] )
   rain heavily
    Put on your rain coat-- it's pouring outside!
   Put on your rain coat-- it's pouring outside!