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flow

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To flow is defined as to run or move smoothly.

(verb)

An example of flow is for a classroom session to run without any problems.

The definition of a flow is an act of moving or running smoothly, a movement of water or the continuous moving of ideas, stories, etc.

(noun)

An example of a flow is a steady movement through the development of a research paper.
An example of a flow is the movement of a stream.
An example of a flow is a class session where students constantly offer input.

See flow in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

to move as a liquid does; move in a stream, like water
to move in a way suggestive of a liquid; stream: crowds flowed past
1. to move gently, smoothly, and easily; glide
2. to have smooth and pleasing continuity: the lines in the painting flowed
to stream forth; pour out
to be derived; spring; proceed
to fall in waves; hang loose: her long hair flowed down her back
to come in; rise, as the tide
to be overflowing or plentiful
Geol. to change in shape under pressure without breaking or splitting, as ice in a glacier or rocks deep in the earth

Origin: ME flouen < OE flowan, akin to ON floa, to flood, OHG flouwen, to wash < IE base *pleu-, to run, flow, fly > flood, fly, flee, fleet, float, L pluere, to rain

transitive verb

to overflow; flood
Archaic to cause to flow

noun

the act or manner of flowing
the rate of flowing
anything that flows; stream or current
a continuous production: a flow of ideas
the rising of the tide

Related Forms:

flowingly adverb

See flow in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb flowed, flow·ing, flows

verb, intransitive

a. To move or run smoothly with unbroken continuity, as in the manner characteristic of a fluid.
b. To issue in a stream; pour forth: Sap flowed from the gash in the tree.
To circulate, as the blood in the body.
To move with a continual shifting of the component particles: wheat flowing into the bin; traffic flowing through the tunnel.
To proceed steadily and easily: The preparations flowed smoothly.
To exhibit a smooth or graceful continuity: The poem's cadence flowed gracefully.
To hang loosely and gracefully: The cape flowed from his shoulders.
To rise. Used of the tide.
To arise; derive: Many conclusions flow from this hypothesis.
a. To abound or teem: coffers flowing with treasure.
b. To stream copiously; flood: Contributions flowed in from all parts of the country.
To menstruate.
To undergo plastic deformation without cracking or breaking. Used of rocks, metals, or minerals.

verb, transitive

To release as a flow: trees flowing thin sap.
To cause to flow: “One of the real keys to success is developing a system where you can flow traffic to yourselves” (Marc Klee).

noun

a. The act of flowing.
b. The smooth motion characteristic of fluids.
a. A stream or current.
b. A flood or overflow.
c. A residual mass that has stopped flowing: a hardened lava flow.
a. A continuous output or outpouring: a flow of ideas; produced a steady flow of stories.
b. A continuous movement or circulation: the flow of traffic; a flow of paperwork across his desk.
The amount that flows in a given period of time.
The rising of the tide.
Continuity and smoothness of appearance.
A general movement or tendency: a dissenter who went against the flow of opinion.
The sequence in which operations are performed.
An apparent ease or effortlessness of performance: “An athlete must learn to forget the details of his or her training to achieve the instinctive sense of flow that characterizes a champion” (Frederick Turner).
Menstrual discharge.