# streaming

/ˈstɹimɪŋ/ (US) · /stɹˈiːmɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/streaming
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. digital media

noun · CEFR B1

watching video or listening to music directly from the internet without saving a file first.

For teachers: the continuous transmission of audio or video files from a server to a client, allowing for immediate playback without local storage.

- Streaming has become more popular than buying physical DVDs or CDs.
- The rise of high-speed internet has made high-definition streaming the primary method for consuming television and film globally.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun like 'service' or 'platform'.

### 2. school grouping

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

putting students into different classes based on their academic ability.

For teachers: the practice of assigning students to different classes or groups based on their perceived academic ability or potential.

- The school uses streaming for maths and science to help students learn at their own pace.
- Educational researchers continue to debate whether streaming benefits high achievers or unfairly disadvantages those placed in lower-tier groups.

Teaching tip: In American English, this practice is more commonly referred to as 'tracking'.

### 3. flowing movement

noun · CEFR B2

the continuous movement of a liquid or a crowd of people.

For teachers: the act of moving in a steady, continuous flow, resembling a physical stream.

- The streaming of the water down the mountain was a beautiful sight.
- The constant streaming of commuters through the station gates created a chaotic atmosphere during the morning rush hour.

### 4. flowing

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

moving or flowing out in a continuous way.

For teachers: characterised by a continuous flow or succession; often used to describe eyes or wounds.

- She walked in from the rain with streaming hair and a wet coat.
- He suffered from a streaming cold that left him unable to focus on the lecture.

## Examples

- Streaming has changed how we watch movies.
- The quality of your video streaming depends heavily on the speed and stability of your internet connection.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.