downriver

American

[doun-riv-er] / ˈdaʊnˈrɪv ər /

adverb

with or in the direction of the current of a river.

logs floating downriver.

Etymology

Origin of downriver

First recorded in 1885–90; down ¹ + river ¹

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.

See Examples For:

downriver

Advisories downriver, including for shellfish harvesting, have been lifted.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 20, 2026

“Versus going downriver, they went from the left side to the right side of the river,” Garrett said of the incident.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 30, 2025

However, that might ironically increase the risk of drinking water that is contaminated with parasites, if those streams are downriver from waste exposures.

From Salon ● May 18, 2025

At 08:56, kneeling on her SUP, Lloyd slid down the fish pass in the centre of the weir and was swept quickly downriver.

From BBC ● Apr. 25, 2025

It is following me downriver, watching me like some great eye.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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