streaming

1 of 2

noun

stream·​ing ˈstrē-miŋ How to pronounce streaming (audio)
1
: the act, the process, or an instance of streaming data (see stream entry 2 sense transitive 3) or of accessing data that is being streamed
… among the hundreds whose presentations are freely available for streaming on the conference website.Joanne McNeil
Streaming is preferable for sites that feature live broadcasts (e.g. live speeches and keynote addresses), in which case downloading files is not an option.Neo Mai and Ken Neo T. K.
2
: an act or instance of flowing
specifically : cyclosis
3
British : tracking sense 1

streaming

2 of 2

adjective

: relating to or being the transfer of data (such as audio or video material) in a continuous stream especially for immediate processing or playback

Examples of streaming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
More than 20 automakers offer Atmos audio in at least some of their vehicles. 20 streaming services globally deliver music in Atmos. Mark Phelan, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025 Below, find everything that’s hitting the streaming service in May, from Tina Fey, Colman Domingo, and Steve Carrell’s brand-new show The Four Seasons to a stand-up special from Mike Birbiglia and all of the Twilight movies: Already a subscriber? Emma Specter, Vogue, 23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The projections include global streaming and non-streaming revenue sources, according to Manatt, which created Billboard’s royalty calculator. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 22 Dec. 2024 Another way of putting it: Are the most powerful cinematic images in this streaming age still those from the pre-streaming past? Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for streaming

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of streaming was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Streaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streaming. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

streaming

adjective
stream·​ing
ˈstrē-miŋ
: playing continuously as data is sent to a computer over the Internet
streaming video

Medical Definition

streaming

noun
stream·​ing ˈstrē-miŋ How to pronounce streaming (audio)
: an act or instance of flowing
specifically : cyclosis
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!