flow
1 of 2verb
ˈflō 
flowed; flowing; flows
intransitive verb
1
a(1)
: to issue or move in a stream
rivers flow into the sea
(2)
: circulate
b
: to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles
molasses flows slowly
water flowing over the dam
2
: rise
the tide ebbs and flows
3
: abound
a land flowing with natural resources
4
a
: to proceed smoothly and readily
conversation flowed easily
b
: to have a smooth continuity
the flowing lines of the car
5
: to hang loose and billowing
her gown flowed around her
6
: to derive from a source : come
the wealth that flows from trade
7
: to deform under stress without cracking or rupturing —used especially of minerals and rocks
8
: menstruate
transitive verb
1
: to cause to flow
flowing oil over the swamp to kill mosquito larvae
2
: to discharge in a flow
The new oil well flowed 100 barrels a day.
flow
2 of 2noun
1
: an act of flowing
2
a
: flood sense 1a
b
: flood sense 2
the tide's ebb and flow
3
a
: a smooth uninterrupted movement or progress
a flow of information
b
: stream
also : a mass of material which has flowed when molten
an old lava flow
c
: the direction of movement or development
go with the flow
4
: the quantity that flows in a certain time
a gauge that measures fuel flow
5
: menstruation
6
a
: the motion characteristic of fluids
b
: a continuous transfer of energy
Synonyms
Verb
- pour
- roll
- run
- stream
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb rivers flowing into the sea She opened the faucet and the water began to flow freely. a device that measures the amount of electricity flowing through a circuit Traffic has been flowing smoothly from east to west. The grain flowed smoothly down the elevator chute. Requests have flowed into the office. Money has continued to flow in. Noun a sudden flow of tears a steady flow of traffic The doctor was trying to stop the flow of blood. We want to encourage the free flow of ideas. the westward flow of settlers We've been receiving a constant flow of phone calls. measuring blood flow to the brain See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2022 The complaints come as Ukrainian grain exports flow at their fastest rate since the war started. Alistair Macdonald And Karolina Jeznach, WSJ, 17 Sep. 2022 If your fire is packed too densely, air can’t flow through to drive combustion; if your fuel is packed too loosely, then the air can’t get enough power to move quickly. Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 13 Sep. 2022 Letting your feelings flow today could result in some cathartic healing. Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Winds could gust over 60 mph as the wind flow around the storm begins to interact with the mountainous terrain of Southern California. Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Elsewhere, the open concept layout allows for the dining area, gourmet chef’s kitchen and 600-bottle wine cellar to effortlessly flow into one another on the first floor. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2022 There remains uncertainty as to exactly how much rain will fall and where, but the counterclockwise flow around the storm will steer winds from the east over much of the Southwest. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 City officials say the changes will make San Diego’s street sweeping more effective and efficient, which will keep more trash out of local rivers and bays, which eventually flow into the ocean. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Russia has recently cut off the natural gas flow to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, and Mr. Putin threatened to extend the cutoff and add oil and refined products. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 The easterly flow from Kay on Friday may well produce very warm overnights for the Los Angeles coasts and valleys, the weather service in Los Angeles said. Judson Jones, CNN, 6 Sep. 2022 This led the researchers to determine the water flow near Giza was a way of life until the area started to dry out in the era following the construction of the pyramids. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2022 Yet in this century, the river’s natural flow has averaged far less than was spoken for, just 12.4 million acre-feet. AZCentral.com, 6 Sep. 2022 Extended forecasts are showing a quick heat up Friday with a switch to offshore flow bringing in warm temperatures from the east. oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2022 The flow led to the methodical removal of his suit jacket, tie, jewelry, shirt and jeans throughout the night until only a black leotard was exposed. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2022 Starting his set with clips of him with the Columbia film studio torch-bearer, JID took control of his cinematic a voice as thick as his bass lines and his signature stutter-step flow racing at breakneck speeds. Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2022 See More
Verb
Two of those road projects will enhance traffic flow in and out of Redstone Arsenal. Paul Gattis | Pgattis@al.com, al, 18 Sep. 2022 The complaints come as Ukrainian grain exports flow at their fastest rate since the war started. Alistair Macdonald And Karolina Jeznach, WSJ, 17 Sep. 2022 If your fire is packed too densely, air can’t flow through to drive combustion; if your fuel is packed too loosely, then the air can’t get enough power to move quickly. Sarah Wells, Popular Mechanics, 13 Sep. 2022 Letting your feelings flow today could result in some cathartic healing. Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2022 Winds could gust over 60 mph as the wind flow around the storm begins to interact with the mountainous terrain of Southern California. Nouran Salahieh, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 Elsewhere, the open concept layout allows for the dining area, gourmet chef’s kitchen and 600-bottle wine cellar to effortlessly flow into one another on the first floor. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Sep. 2022 There remains uncertainty as to exactly how much rain will fall and where, but the counterclockwise flow around the storm will steer winds from the east over much of the Southwest. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 City officials say the changes will make San Diego’s street sweeping more effective and efficient, which will keep more trash out of local rivers and bays, which eventually flow into the ocean. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Noun
This steering flow means the heaviest rainfall will probably concentrate along the eastern slopes of Southern California’s mountains. Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2022 Russia has recently cut off the natural gas flow to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, and Mr. Putin threatened to extend the cutoff and add oil and refined products. The Editorial Board, WSJ, 7 Sep. 2022 The easterly flow from Kay on Friday may well produce very warm overnights for the Los Angeles coasts and valleys, the weather service in Los Angeles said. Judson Jones, CNN, 6 Sep. 2022 This led the researchers to determine the water flow near Giza was a way of life until the area started to dry out in the era following the construction of the pyramids. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 6 Sep. 2022 Yet in this century, the river’s natural flow has averaged far less than was spoken for, just 12.4 million acre-feet. AZCentral.com, 6 Sep. 2022 Extended forecasts are showing a quick heat up Friday with a switch to offshore flow bringing in warm temperatures from the east. oregonlive, 6 Sep. 2022 The flow led to the methodical removal of his suit jacket, tie, jewelry, shirt and jeans throughout the night until only a black leotard was exposed. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Sep. 2022 Starting his set with clips of him with the Columbia film studio torch-bearer, JID took control of his cinematic a voice as thick as his bass lines and his signature stutter-step flow racing at breakneck speeds. Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Old English flōwan; akin to Old High German flouwen to rinse, wash, Latin pluere to rain, Greek plein to sail, float
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a(1)
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing flow
Kids Definition
flow 1 of 2
verb
ˈflō
flowed; flowing
1
: to move in or as if in a stream
The river flows to the sea.
She felt relief flow through her.
2
: to glide along smoothly
Traffic is flowing on the highway.
3
: to hang loose and waving
Her hair flowed down.
flow
2 of 2noun
1
: an act of moving in or as if in a stream
a flow of tears
a flow of praise
2
: the rise of the tide
the ebb and flow of the tide
3
: a smooth even movement : stream
the flow of conversation
a flow of information
4
: an amount or mass of something moving in a stream
blood flow
Medical Definition
flow 1 of 2
intransitive verb
ˈflō
1
: to move with a continual change of place among the constituent particles
blood flows toward the heart in veins
2
: menstruate
flow
2 of 2noun
1
: the quantity that flows in a certain time
2
: menstruation
3
: the motion characteristic of fluids
flow 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to stream
to move in a stream water was flowing over the dam at a tremendous rate Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- stream
- pour
- drip
- rush
- roll
- run
- flood
- spring
- ripple
- gush
- trickle
- flush
- overflow
- emanate
- cascade
- spurt
- fountain
- race
- issue
- arise
- effuse
- course
- spout
- deluge
- sheet
- dribble
- gutter
- swamp
- inundate
- riffle
- overrun
- disembogue
- engulf
- wash out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- back up
- coagulate
- set
- gel
- congeal
- harden
- clot
2
as in to drift
to move or proceed smoothly and readily as everyone relaxed, the conversation really started to flow Synonyms & Similar Words
- drift
- stream
- speed
- cruise
- slide
- sail
- glide
- slip
- sweep
- breeze
- brush
- roll
- coast
- fly
- bowl
- race
- rush
- skim
- whisk
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- struggle
- limp
- flounder
- shuffle
- labor
- stumble
- lumber
- trudge
- plod
- stamp
- toil
- stomp
- tramp
- stump
- shamble
flow
2 of 2noun
as in inflow
Synonyms & Similar Words
- inflow
- flood
- torrent
- inundation
- overflow
- influx
- income
- deluge
- affluence
- inpouring
- tide
- flux
- inrush
- spate
- river
- stampede
- stream
- rush
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- outflow
- flight
- emigration
- outpouring
- exodus
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of flow are arise, derive, emanate, issue, originate, proceed, rise, spring, and stem. While all these words mean "to come up or out of something into existence," flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.
words flowed easily from her pen
Arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.
new questions have arisen
slowly rose to prominence
The synonyms derive and flow are sometimes interchangeable, but derive implies a prior existence in another form.
the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast
The meanings of emanate and flow largely overlap; however, emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.
reports emanating from the capital
In some situations, the words issue and flow are roughly equivalent. However, issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.
blood issued from the cut
While in some cases nearly identical to flow, originate implies a definite source or starting point.
the fire originated in the basement
The words proceed and flow can be used in similar contexts, but proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.
advice that proceeds from the best of intentions
The words spring and flow are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.
an idea that springs to mind
While the synonyms stem and flow are close in meaning, stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.
industries stemming from space research