streamline
Americannoun
-
a teardrop line of contour offering the least possible resistance to a current of air, water, etc.
-
the path of a particle that is flowing steadily and without turbulence in a fluid past an object.
verb (used with object)
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streamlines,
present (3rd person singular)
-
streamlined,
past participle, past
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streamlining
present participle
-
to make streamlined.
-
to alter in order to make more efficient or simple.
adjective
noun
-
a contour on a body that offers the minimum resistance to a gas or liquid flowing around it
-
an imaginary line in a fluid such that the tangent at any point indicates the direction of the velocity of a particle of the fluid at that point
verb
Discover More
A “streamlined” design is one in which objects that move through a gas or liquid are shaped to match these lines, and therefore reduce the energy required to produce that motion.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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streamlinesimple
-
streamlinessimple
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have streamlinedperfect
-
has streamlinedperfect
-
am streamliningprogressive
-
are streamliningprogressive
-
is streamliningprogressive
-
have been streamliningperfect progressive
-
has been streamliningperfect progressive
Past
-
streamlinedsimple
-
had streamlinedperfect
-
was streamliningprogressive
-
were streamliningprogressive
-
had been streamliningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of streamline
Explanation
When you streamline something, you're simplifying it to make it more efficient or profitable. When you think of streamlining, think of a bunch of streams coming together to form one stream. This word is about taking something complicated with a lot of parts and turning it into a simpler, sleeker thing. When companies streamline, they cut staff and reorganize to make the business run more smoothly and make more money. When an engineer streamlines a car design, he takes out all the unnecessary parts and makes the engine more efficient.
Vocabulary lists containing streamline
This Week in Words: April 6–12, 2019
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President Trump's First State of The Union Address (2018)
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Obama's State of the Union Address, 2014
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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:
It then rattled off examples including Chan’s opposition to Wiener’s state law to streamline housing projects.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Embassy is still working to streamline the visa process to avoid future problems.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026
Apple will have to streamline its process for reclaiming leased hardware and be prepared to refurbish devices at scale once customers return them, Feinseth said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
The administration framed the move as an effort to streamline the process and reduce the backlog of cases.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
“They’re amazing creatures—the fastest birds on earth. They’re like shape- shifters, the way they streamline their bodies in the air.”
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
The value proposition of generative AI is that it streamlines the process of communicating by skipping connective thought processes.
From Salon ● Jun. 10, 2026
The Danbury store is part of a nationwide downsizing as Ethan Allen streamlines stores and lowers expenses while grappling with weak demand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
Spirit customers can file a proof of claim for their points, vouchers or flight credits through Epiq, a website that streamlines bankruptcy proceedings for companies — but they shouldn’t count on a payout.
From MarketWatch ● May 4, 2026
He highlights the Compass platform for agents, which streamlines an agent’s workflow that would otherwise require several different tools.
From Barron's ● Mar. 26, 2026
It was a thing of graceful beauty even on the ground, its long curving streamlines giving it wonderful symmetry.
From The Black Star Passes by John Wood Campbell
She said New Jersey has streamlined the filmmaking process in a way California hasn’t.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
Organisers said the streamlined format, which featured 10 sports across four locations in Glasgow, had "saved and reinvented" the competition after its future was placed in doubt when original hosts Victoria pulled out.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Campari said last week it has further streamlined its portfolio by offloading five smaller labels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
The group, which has maintained a high level of promotional spending focused on Aperol and other core labels, meanwhile said it had further streamlined its portfolio by offloading five smaller labels.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 30, 2026
It was bright yellow with black fenders, a streamlined car of graceful design.
From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White
These layoffs are part of an initiative aimed at streamlining package pickups and deliveries by merging ground and express delivery networks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
The deal could strengthen Maybank’s bancassurance business by deepening cross-selling and streamlining regional insurance operations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
The introduction of the National Police Service is aimed at streamlining national responsibilities to allow local forces to focus on tackling crime in their communities, the BBC understands.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
Hertz has spent the past year streamlining its operations, updating its fleet, and working to improve the financial health of its business.
From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026
Give these four people their notices today, and I'll expect some suggestions from you as to further streamlining of your section within the next two days.
From Final Weapon by Alexander Leydenfrost
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.
