Definition of "upstream" in English

adjective

1. In a direction against the flow of a current or stream of fluid (typically water); upriver.

2. (figurative) Occurring earlier than something else; (also, usually, especially) being an influence on something else; causing a consequence for something else.

   • Input entry is upstream of input validation in the runtime process.

adverb

1. Against the current.

verb

1. (intransitive) To stream upward.

2. (transitive, open-source software) To have (a software library, patch, etc.) accepted by the original developers of the related software, so that they maintain and distribute it.

   • I'd be more than happy to upstream your patch.

noun

1. Part of the river towards the upstream direction.

2. (open-source software) The original developers or maintainers of software.