noun

1. a line or long, thin mark; stripe or smear, generally differing in color or texture from the surrounding area
2. a ray of light or a flash, as of lightning
3. a vein or stratum of a mineral
4. a layer, as of fat in meat
5. a strain, element, or tendency in behavior, temperament, etc.; trait a jealous streak
6. ☆ a period, spell, or series a streak of bad luck, a streak of losses
7. Bacteriology an inoculum placed, as in a line, on a solid culture medium
8. Mineralogy a colored line of powder produced by rubbing a mineral over a hard, white surface (streak plate): it serves as a distinguishing character

Etymology: ME streke < OE strica: for IE base see strike

transitive verb

1. to make streaks on or in; mark with streaks
2. to make usually lighter streaks in (hair) with a coloring agent

intransitive verb

1. to form streaks; become streaked
2. to move at high speed; go fast; hurry
3. ☆ to dash naked in public as a prank