upstream

[ uhp-streem ]

adverb

1. toward or in the higher part of a stream; against the current.

adjective

1. directed upstream; situated upstream:

   an upstream journey; an upstream hideout.

2. Commerce. of or relating to the early stages in the operations of a business or industry, as exploration and production in the oil business ( downstream ).
3. against or opposite to the direction of transcription, translation, or synthesis of a DNA, RNA, or protein molecule.

upstream

/ ˈʌpˈstriːm /

adverb

1. in or towards the higher part of a stream; against the current
2. (in the oil industry) of or for any of the stages prior to oil production, such as exploration or research Compare downstream

Word History and Origins

Origin of upstream¹

First recorded in 1675–85; up- + stream

Example Sentences

Aramco did not comment on the letter when contacted by BBC Sport but has previously said it has "one of the lowest upstream carbon footprints in the industry".

From BBC

Biologists from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife have spotted fall-run Chinook salmon in tributaries miles upstream from where Iron Gate Dam was removed.

From Los Angeles Times

It followed an appeals court ruling that cleared the way for city officials and water managers to reduce flows upstream, keeping some water behind a dam and sending other supplies to farms.

From Los Angeles Times

The team also had to leave their kayaks at a base camp they set up when it became impossible to head further upstream, hiking through the jungle using machetes for five days.

From BBC

The canoes and kayaks continued upstream until the group reached an impassable spot where the river was cascading through rocks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ambitious
• arduous
• burdensome
• challenging
• crucial
• demanding
• laborious
• onerous
• painful
• problematic
• severe
• strenuous
• tough
• troublesome