streaming

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "streaming" is correct and usable in written English.
It can refer to the act of watching or listening to content (like a movie, television show, or song) over the internet without having to download it first. For example: I prefer to stream my favorite shows, so I have more space on my laptop.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Music

TV & Radio

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: UK top 10 albums of 2014 are all by British artists for first time Taylor said that the slide in British CD sales, precipitated by the rise of illegal downloads and digital sales and streaming, appeared to be slowing.

The Guardian

Coleen Baik, a designer who previously worked at Twitter, has been using the live video streaming tool during a trip to North Korea as part of the Women Cross DMZ peace movement.

The Guardian

We're also not at the place where a collection of these streaming services makes practical or economic sense for hardcore fanatics.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Amazon Prime Instant Video also offers streaming but is lagging far behind in the original programming department with only four shows in the can.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Meanwhile, music industry analyst Mark Mulligan of Midia Research published a report in August claiming that 30% of consumers are now streaming music; that 23% of those people used to buy more than one album a month but no longer do so; and that 45% of all music downloaders are also now music streamers.

The Guardian - Tech

Taylor Swift fans who pre-ordered her latest album 1989 are waking up today to a notification from Apple that it's available to download from iTunes – the latest high-profile album to shun streaming services like Spotify in favour of Apple's music downloads store.

The Guardian - Tech

Aereo's method is simple: It provides an antenna for each customer, capturing the signals from local broadcasters in New York City (with other cities to be added this year, the company says), and then makes the content available to the customers via Internet streaming.

The Guardian - Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 3.29pm AEST04:29 It looks like the streaming issues are still bedevilling would-be listeners.

The Guardian

Will you still be able to access shows for free (as with Vikings) or will Amazon quietly drop the streaming and nudge you towards buying the Blu-ray (as it's done with sci-fi show Extant)?

The Guardian

P41 Wall Street Journal Europe Apple to launch music streaming service.

The Guardian

Streaming music service Spotify has announced new features including adding podcasts and video; music that adapts to the listener's running pace; and the promise of smarter abilities to serve the right playlists for the time of day, activity and habits of the user.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "streaming" to describe the technology. Use "watch online" or "listen online" when you're addressing an audience about consuming the technology.

Common error

Avoid using "streaming" without specifying the type of content (video, audio, data) or the platform. Providing specific context helps your audience understand exactly what you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "streaming" is a verb, often used in its present participle form to describe the action of transmitting or receiving data in a continuous flow. Ludwig shows many instances in which is used referring to audio or video content.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Tech

20%

Music

10%

Less common in

TV & Radio

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "streaming" is a verb widely recognized and used in contemporary English to describe the real-time transmission and consumption of digital content. As highlighted by Ludwig, "streaming" functions grammatically correct, fitting seamlessly into sentences as a verb. The analysis indicates that it's most frequently encountered in News & Media and Tech contexts. Given its prevalence and versatility, understanding the nuances of "streaming" is essential for clear and effective communication. Whether discussing music, movies, or live events, "streaming" provides a concise and universally understood way to convey the concept of on-demand digital access.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data streaming

This term specifies that it is data being transferred in a continuous flow.

audio streaming

This term focuses exclusively on the continuous transmission of audio content.

video on demand

Specifically indicates that video content is available for immediate viewing.

online broadcasting

This alternative emphasizes the broadcasting aspect of streaming, typically suggesting a live or scheduled event.

digital distribution

This term focuses on the method of delivery, highlighting the digital nature of the content being streamed.

webcasting

This refers to broadcasting over the internet, often live.

live feed

This phrase refers to a real-time transmission of video or audio content.

on-demand playback

This highlights the ability to watch or listen to content at any time the user chooses.

real-time transmission

This emphasizes the immediate delivery of data, without significant delay.

content delivery

This broadly describes the distribution of digital content to end-users.

FAQs

How to use "streaming" in a sentence?

You can use "streaming" as a verb (e.g., "I'm streaming a movie tonight") or as a noun (e.g., "Streaming services are popular").

What can I say instead of "streaming"?

You can use alternatives like "online broadcasting", "digital distribution", or "webcasting" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "streaming" or "to stream"?

"Streaming" is often used as a gerund or present participle, while "to stream" is the infinitive form of the verb. Both are correct, but they are used in different grammatical structures.

What's the difference between "streaming" and "downloading"?

"Streaming" refers to accessing content in real-time without permanently storing it on your device. "Downloading" involves saving a copy of the content to your device for later access, which is different from "streaming".