upstream
word
Definition
In the direction against the flow of a river or stream, toward its source. Can also refer to earlier stages in a process or supply chain.
Usage & Nuances
'Upstream' is both literal (rivers, water) and figurative (supply chain, process steps). In business, 'upstream' means activities closer to the raw materials. Opposite is 'downstream'. Common with 'move/go upstream', 'upstream industry', 'upstream problems'.
Spanish: río arriba - aguas arribaPortuguese (BR): a montante - rio acimaPortuguese (PT): a montante - rio acimaChinese (Simplified): 上游 - 向上游Chinese (Traditional): 上游 - 向上游Hindi: ऊपर की ओर (नदी के स्रोत की दिशा)Arabic: أعلى النهرBengali: উজানে - উপরের দিকে (প্রক্রিয়া)Russian: вверх по течению - на ранних этапах (процесса)Japanese: 上流 - 上流段階（プロセス）Vietnamese: thượng nguồn - giai đoạn đầu (quy trình)Korean: 상류 - 전 단계(공정)Turkish: akıntı yukarısı - tedarik zincirinin başıUrdu: اوپر کی طرف (دریا) - ابتدائی مرحلہ (عمل)Indonesian: hulu - tahap awal (proses)
Example Sentences
The boat is moving upstream.
basic
Pollution upstream can affect the entire river.
basic
Fishing is better upstream where the water is cleaner.
natural
A problem upstream in the process caused a big delay.
natural
They want to invest upstream to secure raw materials.
natural
We walked upstream along the river.
basic