downstream
downstream Lexical Profile
downstream Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Situated or moving in the direction in which a stream or river flows.
"The environmental agency monitored the water quality in several downstream communities."
Occurring at a later stage in a sequential process, industrial supply chain, or biological pathway.
"Researchers carefully analyzed the downstream effects of the new economic policy on small businesses."
• adverb
In or toward the direction in which a stream or river flows; nearer to the mouth of a waterway.
"We paddled our canoes several miles downstream before setting up camp for the night."
At a later point in a sequence of operations, production stages, or events.
"Defects introduced during the design phase often cause costly delays further downstream."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the late 16th century as a compound of the native English elements 'down' (from Old English 'of dune', meaning 'off the hill') and 'stream' (from Old English 'stream', meaning 'a course of water').