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Synonyms

upstream

American  
[uhp-streem] / ˈʌpˈstrim /

adverb

  1. toward or in the higher part of a stream; against the current.

adjective

  1. directed upstream; situated upstream.

    an upstream journey; an upstream hideout.

  2. Commerce. of or relating to the early stages in the operations of a business or industry, as exploration and production in the oil business (opposed to downstream).

  3. against or opposite to the direction of transcription, translation, or synthesis of a DNA, RNA, or protein molecule.

upstream British  
/ ˈʌpˈstriːm /

adverb

  1. in or towards the higher part of a stream; against the current

  2. (in the oil industry) of or for any of the stages prior to oil production, such as exploration or research Compare downstream

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of upstream

First recorded in 1675–85; up- + stream

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

This is becoming the standard position: A.I. for everything upstream of prose is acceptable; A.I. for the prose itself is a betrayal.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2026

Exxon has an ownership interest in two LNG trains in Qatar that accounted for 3% of last year’s upstream production.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

The Chinese aluminum producer’s acquisition of a Brazilian aluminum company with Rio Tinto is likely to enhance the former’s resource footprint and expand its upstream aluminum portfolio, she says.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The full Fish Moon refers to when shad fish came upstream to spawn and Breaking Ice Moon highlights the arrival of warmer weather.

From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026

Muddy waves crested, dragging along branches torn from trees upstream.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.