upstream — toward the source of a river or stream; against the current
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: toward the source of a river or stream; against the current
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈʌpstriːm/
Example Sentences
- My boss asked me to go upstream and find out why our coffee supply chain is broken.
- The kayakers paddled upstream for two hours before finding a good camping spot.
- Like a stubborn fish swimming upstream, he refused to follow the crowd's opinion.
upstream
ADVERB[/ˈʌpstriːm/]
toward the source of a river or stream; against the current

toward the source of a river or stream; against the current

Against the mainstream, upstream we go, while others drift downstream below!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
A compound word formed by combining 'up' (upward direction) and 'stream' (flowing water), literally meaning the course of a river in the direction opposite to water flow. First used in the 19th century to describe the upper reaches of a river, the term has since expanded metaphorically in business and supply chain contexts to denote the initial or earlier stages of a production process.
Breakdown
up- (upward direction) + stream (body of flowing water). The compound expresses movement or position against the natural flow of a water current.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss asked me to go upstream and find out why our coffee supply chain is broken.”
“The kayakers paddled upstream for two hours before finding a good camping spot.”
“Like a stubborn fish swimming upstream, he refused to follow the crowd's opinion.”
“The oil company invested heavily in upstream operations in the North Sea.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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