Flow Ebb Fləʊ Blood Country Continuous Steady Movement

• the flow of an electric current
• she tried to stop the flow of blood from the wound.
• exercise increases blood flow to the brain.
• an endless flow of refugees into the country

flow

1. the steady and continuous movement of something/somebody in one direction
• the flow of an electric current
• She tried to stop the flow of blood from the wound.
• Exercise increases blood flow to the brain.
• an endless flow of refugees into the country
• a steady flow of traffic through the city
• to improve traffic flow (= make it move faster)
• to control the direction of flow
• Cut back surrounding vegetation to increase light and air flow.

Extra Examples

• First cut off the water flow from the boiler.
• Changes in the flow of patients have reduced the number of beds available.
• Squeeze the tube of sealant slowly to obtain an even flow.
• The flow rate was measured at 9.5 gallons per second.
• The main flow of water has been diverted to a new course.
• They have to swim against the flow of the river.
• An uninterrupted flow of traffic prevented us from getting to the other side.
• The flow of adrenalin can help the mind to react quickly in a moment of stress.
• The whole operation depends on a steady flow of electricity.
• There was a swift flow of air through the room.
2. the continuous production or supply of something
• SEE ALSO cash flow
  https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/cash-flow
• to encourage the free flow of information
• efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs
• We are looking to improve data flow by up to 50%.
• the flow of goods and services to remote areas

Extra Examples

• The continual bombing disrupted the flow of supplies to the ground troops.
• The system provides a continuous flow of information to the market.
• We like to allow a free flow of ideas in our company.
• the flow of data through the system
• the outward flow of investment from the country
• to encourage the flow of revenue into the country
• to maintain an even flow of work through the department
• They extended the raids in an attempt to interrupt the flow of men and supplies to the enemy lines.
3. continuous talk by somebody
• You've interrupted my flow—I can't remember what I was saying.
• He kept up a flow of chatter.
• As usual, Tom was in full flow (= talking confidently in a way that is hard to interrupt).
4. the way that words, ideas or themes are linked together in speech, writing or music
• Too many examples can interrupt the smooth flow of the text.
• I found it hard to follow the flow of the argument.
• I liked the concerto for its natural flow.
5. the movement of the sea towards the land
• the ebb and flow of the tide
6. the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount
• the ebb and flow of the seasons
• She sat in silence enjoying the ebb and flow of conversation.
• He had known her long enough to recognize the ebb and flow of her moods.
• the natural ebb and flow of water
• We see a constant ebb and flow of jobs.
7. to be relaxed and not worry about what you should do

Word Origin

• Old English flōwan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vloeien, also to flood.