downstream

adverb or adjective

down·​stream ˈdau̇n-ˈstrēm How to pronounce downstream (audio)
1
: in the direction of or nearer to the mouth of a stream
floating downstream
located two miles downstream
2
: in or toward the latter stages of a usually industrial process or the stages (such as marketing) after manufacture
improving profits downstream
downstream products
3
biochemistry : toward the end of a series of cellular processes : following a linked molecular event occurring in a sequence
But by looking downstream of the tumor suppressors [genes] at the proteins they influence, drug developers hope to find good targets.Marcia Barinaga

Examples of downstream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Kering plans to continue its use of certifications for its sourcing downstream of key commodities such as wood and rubber, and to continue its efforts to promote regenerative agriculture practices in its supply chain. Rhonda Richford, WWD, 31 Oct. 2024 Additionally, Lululemon, which is under investigation by Canada’s Competition Bureau for greenwashing, was recorded not to have provided evidence for assessing impacts on nature and biodiversity up and downstream of the supply chain. Amy Nguyen, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 Much of what was the iconic village of Chimney Rock is now wreckage situated downstream in Lake Lure. Patrik Jonsson, The Christian Science Monitor, 11 Oct. 2024 The female occupant was rescued, but McCrary and his dog were swept downstream. Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for downstream 

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of downstream was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near downstream

Cite this Entry

“Downstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/downstream. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

downstream

adverb or adjective
down·​stream ˈdau̇n-ˈstrēm How to pronounce downstream (audio)
: in the direction a stream is flowing

Medical Definition

downstream

adverb or adjective
down·​stream ˌdau̇n-ˈstrēm How to pronounce downstream (audio)
1
: in the same direction along a molecule of DNA or RNA as that in which transcription and translation take place and toward the end having a hydroxyl group attached to the position labeled 3′ in the terminal nucleotide
a nucleotide sequence located downstream from the regulatory gene
effects on the expression of downstream genes
compare upstream sense 1
2
: toward the end of a series of cellular processes : following a linked molecular event occurring in a sequence
But by looking downstream of the tumor suppressors [genes] at the proteins they influence, drug developers hope to find good targets.Marcia Barinaga, Science
The tyrosine kinase activity of phosphorylated EGFR [epidermal growth factor receptor] in cancer cells results in the phosphorylation of downstream proteins that incite cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and inhibition of apoptosis.Jonathan E. Dowell and John D. Minna, The New England Journal of Medicine

More from Merriam-Webster on downstream

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!