Standard Lemma guide

streambed

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A channel through which a stream flows or used to flow.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: geography, hydrology, natural-sciences

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: riverbed, creekbed

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: riverbed, creekbed

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bed, site, place, location

2

noun

Meaning 2

a channel occupied (or formerly occupied) by a stream

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: creek bed

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: bed, bottom

Narrower terms: wash, dry wash

History

Etymology

From stream + bed. Compare Dutch stroombed (“channel, streambed”), German Strombett (“channel”), Swedish strömbädd (“gully, ditch”).

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 溪床 (xīchuáng) — channel through with a stream flows
  • Dutch: stroombedding — channel through with a stream flows
  • Dutch: stroombed — channel through with a stream flows
  • Finnish: uoma — channel through with a stream flows
  • Old English: strēamrād — channel through with a stream flows