downstream

Meanings

1. 1adverb

   In the direction that a river or stream flows, toward its mouth.

   Grammar: Used without an object; it often follows a verb of movement: float downstream, swim downstream.

   Patterns

   • move downstream
   • float downstream
   • a few miles downstream

   The logs floated slowly downstream toward the mill.

   We paddled downstream for an hour before stopping for lunch.

   A small bridge stands about two miles downstream from the village.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Situated farther along a river in the direction the water flows.

   Grammar: Comes before the noun it describes: a downstream town, the downstream side of the dam.

   Patterns

   • downstream town
   • downstream side
   • downstream of something

   Farmers in the downstream villages depend on the same river.

   The downstream side of the dam is closed to swimmers.

   Water quality is worse at the downstream end of the valley.

3. 3adverbbusinesstechnical

   At a later stage in a process, especially in oil, computing, or business.

   Grammar: No object; often used with from: costs further downstream, problems downstream from the decision.

   Patterns

   • further downstream
   • downstream from something
   • work downstream

   Refining happens downstream, after the crude oil leaves the well.

   A delay in design causes trouble further downstream in the schedule.

   The data is cleaned before it reaches downstream users.

4. 4adjectivebefore a nounbusinesstechnical

   Relating to a later stage of an industrial or computing process.

   Grammar: Placed before a noun: downstream processing, downstream customers.

   Patterns

   • downstream processing
   • downstream industry
   • downstream customer

   Downstream processing turns raw materials into finished products.

   The company sells mainly to downstream customers such as retailers.

   Engineers checked every downstream step for errors.

Common combinations

flow downstream

Meltwater flows downstream into the lake every spring.

a few miles downstream

The next town is a few miles downstream.

downstream of

The factory sits downstream of the city.

downstream processing

Downstream processing adds most of the product's value.

further downstream

Higher fuel costs hit drivers further downstream.

Synonyms and how they differ

downriver

Means the same direction but is used mainly in American English and sounds a little informal.

lower

Describes a position farther along a river, as in 'the lower reaches', but it does not show direction of movement.

Opposites

Word family

upstream adverb

In the direction against the flow of a river.

downstream adjective

The same word used before a noun to describe a later position or stage.

Commonly confused: downstream or downstairs?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “downstream”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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