adj, adv, verb ·Uncommon ·Advanced level

Definitions

Verb

1. 1
   To stream downward.
2. 2
   Of the original developers: to make available (a version or patch) to downstream developers and users of the software. transitive

Adjective

1. 1
   Toward the lower part of a stream; with the current (of a river, brook, or other flow of fluid).
2. 2
   Occurring later than something else; (also, usually, especially) influenced by something else; being a consequence of something else. figuratively

   "Input validation is downstream of input entry in the runtime process."

3. 3
   Occurring later than something else; (also, usually, especially) influenced by something else; being a consequence of something else.; In the direction from the server to the client. figuratively
4. 4
   Occurring later than something else; (also, usually, especially) influenced by something else; being a consequence of something else.; Towards the 3′ end of a DNA molecule. figuratively

Adjective

1. 1
   in the direction of a stream's current wordnet

Adverb

1. 1
   Following the path of a river or stream.

   "We spent the day paddling downstream in our canoes."

Adverb

1. 1
   away from the source or with the current wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

belowdownriverbelowdowndowngradedownhill

Antonyms

All antonyms

upriverupstream

Example

More examples

"Our camp is about 5 miles downstream from here."

Etymology

From down- + stream.

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.