1
: a line or mark of a different color or texture from the ground : stripe
2
a
: the color of the fine powder of a mineral obtained by scratching or rubbing against a hard white surface and constituting an important distinguishing character
b
: inoculum implanted in a line on a solid medium
c
: any of numerous virus diseases of plants (such as tobacco and corn) resembling mosaic but usually producing at least some linear markings
3
a
: a narrow band of light
b
: a lightning bolt
4
a
: a slight admixture : trace
had a mean streak in him
b
: a brief run (as of luck)
c
: a consecutive series
was on a winning streak
5
: a narrow layer (as of fat)
6
: an act or instance of streaking
streaked; streaking; streaks
: to make streaks on or in
tears streaking her face
1
: to move swiftly : rush
a jet streaking across the sky
2
: to have a streak (as of winning or outstanding performances)
3
: to run naked through a public place
streaker
noun
Examples of streak in a Sentence
Noun
He left streaks where he wiped the glass.
The miners had streaks of coal dust on their faces.
a streak of 11 straight victories
Verb
A shooting star streaked across the sky.
A skateboarder streaked past us.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Amorim has shown his ruthless streak since joining United, making high demands on his players and jettisoning those who do not meet his standards.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
All the while, a mysterious comet streaks across the sky, growing larger by the day.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for streak
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Noun
Silva extended his winning streak to eight straight with his win over Vallejos.
Vallejos, who signed with the UFC following a 2024 DWCS win, is the last fighter to go the distance with Silva.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025
Amorim has shown his ruthless streak since joining United, making high demands on his players and jettisoning those who do not meet his standards.
—Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 30 July 2025
Verb
Bright meteors and fireballs, very bright meteors, frequently streak across the night sky, creating a path of light and color overhead.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
All the while, a mysterious comet streaks across the sky, growing larger by the day.
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for streak
Cite this Entry
“Streak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streak. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
streak
1 of 2 noun1
: a line or mark of a different color or texture from its background : stripe
2
: the color of the fine powder of a mineral obtained by scratching or rubbing against a hard white surface
3
a
: a narrow band of light
b
: a lightning bolt
4
5
: a narrow layer
a streak of fat in bacon
streak
2 of 2 verb1
: to make or have streaks on or in
2
: to move swiftly : rush
a jet streaking across the sky
Medical Definition
streak
1 of 2 noun1
: a usually irregular line or stripe see primitive streak
2
: inoculum implanted (as with a needle drawn across the surface) in a line on a solid medium
streak
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to implant (inoculum) in a line on a solid medium
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