downstream

adverb or adjective

down·​stream ˈdau̇n-ˈstrēm 

1

: in the direction of or nearer to the mouth of a stream

floating downstream

located two miles downstream

2

: in or toward the latter stages of a usually industrial process or the stages (such as marketing) after manufacture

improving profits downstream

downstream products

3

biochemistry : toward the end of a series of cellular processes : following a linked molecular event occurring in a sequence

But by looking downstream of the tumor suppressors [genes] at the proteins they influence, drug developers hope to find good targets.

—Marcia Barinaga

Examples of downstream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kering plans to continue its use of certifications for its sourcing downstream of key commodities such as wood and rubber, and to continue its efforts to promote regenerative agriculture practices in its supply chain. —Rhonda Richford, WWD, 31 Oct. 2024

Additionally, Lululemon, which is under investigation by Canada’s Competition Bureau for greenwashing, was recorded not to have provided evidence for assessing impacts on nature and biodiversity up and downstream of the supply chain. —Amy Nguyen, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024

Much of what was the iconic village of Chimney Rock is now wreckage situated downstream in Lake Lure. —Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Oct. 2024

The female occupant was rescued, but McCrary and his dog were swept downstream. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

downstream

adverb or adjective

down·​stream ˈdau̇n-ˈstrēm 

: in the direction a stream is flowing

Medical Definition

downstream

adverb or adjective

down·​stream ˌdau̇n-ˈstrēm 

1

: in the same direction along a molecule of DNA or RNA as that in which transcription and translation take place and toward the end having a hydroxyl group attached to the position labeled 3′ in the terminal nucleotide

a nucleotide sequence located downstream from the regulatory gene

effects on the expression of downstream genes

compare upstream sense 1

2

: toward the end of a series of cellular processes : following a linked molecular event occurring in a sequence

But by looking downstream of the tumor suppressors [genes] at the proteins they influence, drug developers hope to find good targets.

—Marcia Barinaga, Science

The tyrosine kinase activity of phosphorylated EGFR [epidermal growth factor receptor] in cancer cells results in the phosphorylation of downstream proteins that incite cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and inhibition of apoptosis.

—Jonathan E. Dowell and John D. Minna, The New England Journal of Medicine