easy
The fish swam upstream.
What does Upstream mean?
Upstream means toward where the water comes from.
Dictionary definition
Upstream means in the direction from which a river or stream flows, toward its source.
Example sentences
Upstream in a sentence
medium
The campers walked upstream to find where the creek began.
hard
In geography, moving upstream means going against the flow toward the source of the water.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Upstream
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does upstream mean?
Upstream means toward the source of a stream or river, often against the current.
Practice 2
Which word is a useful contrast for upstream?
Downstream is the direct contrast because it means in the direction the water flows.
Practice 3
Which sentence uses upstream correctly?
Against the current is a clue that upstream means toward the source.
Practice complete
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Pronunciation coach
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Upstream
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Sounds like
up · streem · strongest beat: up
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordUpstream.
Partadverb, adjective.
MeaningUpstream means toward where the water comes from.
ExampleExample: The fish swam upstream.
Word breakdown
2 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- up · streem
- Strongest beat
- up
- Ending
- streem
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on up.
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Synonyms
Words like Upstream
toward the sourceUse when moving toward where a river begins.
against the currentUse when moving opposite the water flow.
Antonyms
Opposite words
downstreamUse when moving in the direction water flows.
with the currentUse when moving the same way as the water.
Synonym practice
Want to practice upstream synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The canoe moved upstream toward the bridge," then compare close word choices. Practice upstream synonyms.
Word family
Upstream word family
Base word
stream
adverb
upstream
Toward where water comes from.
adverb
downstream
In the direction water flows.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Upstream
Hint for students
Upstream means toward the source of a river or stream. It usually means moving against the direction the water flows.
Common mix-up
Do not confuse upstream with uphill. Upstream follows water back toward its source; uphill means moving up a slope.
Try it in class or at home
Write one sentence that shows upstream without using the word upstream. Then underline the clue words that show movement toward where the water begins or against the current. Example: The salmon swam against the current toward the cold mountain creek. Clue words: salmon, against the current, toward, mountain creek Now try your own sentence. Ask: Does my sentence show movement toward the source of flowing water?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The campers walked upstream to find where the creek began." Why does upstream fit better than downstream?
Learning activities
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