ENGLISH
REFERENCE

streaming

n. uncountable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈstɹimɪŋ// UK //stɹˈiːmɪŋ// stream·ing

n. watching or listening to media directly from the internet without downloading it first. You use this when you use apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Spotify.

n. the continuous transmission of audio or video files from a server to a client over a network, allowing for immediate playback. Often used as a modifier before other nouns.


SIMPLE

Streaming has changed how we watch movies.

CONTEXTUAL

The quality of your video streaming depends heavily on the speed and stability of your internet connection.

COMPLEX

While physical media sales continue to decline, the rise of subscription-based streaming has fundamentally restructured the economic landscape of the global music and film industries.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English stremyng, stremynge, stremande, equivalent to stream + -ing.

Etymology 2

From Middle English stremynge, equivalent to stream + -ing.

Usage

Commonly functions as an uncountable noun or an attributive noun in compounds like 'streaming service' or 'streaming platform'.

Pitfall

I am doing a streaming of the movieI am streaming the movieLearners often use 'streaming' as a countable noun with 'do' instead of using 'stream' as a verb or 'streaming' as an uncountable activity.

© 2026 English Reference