{ "term": "flow", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "b1", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "the steady and continuous movement of something/somebody in one direction", "sensetop": "flow (of something) (from something)flow (of something) to somethingflow (of something) into somethingflow (of something) through something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "the flow of an electric current" }, { "text": "She tried to stop the flow of blood from the wound.", "contextForm": "flow (of something) (from something)" }, { "text": "Exercise increases **blood flow** to the brain.", "contextForm": "flow (of something) to something" }, { "text": "a constant flow of tourists into the region", "contextForm": "flow (of something) into something" }, { "text": "a steady flow of traffic through the city", "contextForm": "flow (of something) through something" }, { "text": "to improve traffic flow *(= make it move faster)*" }, { "text": "to control the direction of flow" }, { "text": "Cut back surrounding vegetation to increase light and air flow." }, { "text": "First cut off the water flow from the boiler." }, { "text": "Changes in the flow of patients have reduced the number of beds available." }, { "text": "The monument attracted a constant flow of visitors." }, { "text": "an attempt to stem the flow of cheap imports" }, { "text": "Squeeze the tube of sealant slowly to obtain an even flow." }, { "text": "The flow rate was measured at 9.5 gallons per second." }, { "text": "The main flow of water has been diverted to a new course." }, { "text": "They have to swim against the flow of the river." }, { "text": "An uninterrupted flow of traffic prevented us from getting to the other side." }, { "text": "The flow of adrenalin can help the mind to react quickly in a moment of stress." }, { "text": "The whole operation depends on a steady flow of electricity." }, { "text": "There was a swift flow of air through the room." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["heavy", "large", "massive"], "verb + flow": ["have", "get", "obtain"], "flow + noun": ["rate", "chart", "diagram"], "preposition": ["against the flow", "flow among", "flow from"], "phrases": ["the ebb and flow", "in full flow", "the rate of flow"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "the continuous production or supply of something", "sensetop": "flow of something to something", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "to encourage the **free flow** of information" }, { "text": "efforts to **stem the flow** of illegal drugs" }, { "text": "We are looking to improve data flow by up to 50%." }, { "text": "the flow of goods and services to remote areas", "contextForm": "flow of something to something" }, { "text": "The continual bombing disrupted the flow of supplies to the ground troops." }, { "text": "The system provides a continuous flow of information to the market." }, { "text": "We like to allow a free flow of ideas in our company." }, { "text": "the flow of data through the system" }, { "text": "the outward flow of investment from the country" }, { "text": "to encourage the flow of revenue into the country" }, { "text": "to maintain an even flow of work through the department" }, { "text": "They extended the raids in an attempt to interrupt the flow of men and supplies to the enemy lines." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["heavy", "large", "massive"], "verb + flow": ["have", "get", "obtain"], "flow + noun": ["rate", "chart", "diagram"], "preposition": ["against the flow", "flow among", "flow from"], "phrases": ["the ebb and flow", "in full flow", "the rate of flow"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "continuous talk by somebody", "examples": [ { "text": "You've interrupted my flow—I can't remember what I was saying." }, { "text": "He kept up a flow of chatter." }, { "text": "As usual, Tom was **in full flow** *(= talking confidently in a way that is hard to interrupt)*." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["heavy", "large", "massive"], "verb + flow": ["have", "get", "obtain"], "flow + noun": ["rate", "chart", "diagram"], "preposition": ["against the flow", "flow among", "flow from"], "phrases": ["the ebb and flow", "in full flow", "the rate of flow"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "the way that words, ideas or themes are linked together in speech, writing or music", "examples": [ { "text": "Too many examples can interrupt the smooth flow of the text." }, { "text": "I found it hard to follow the flow of the argument." }, { "text": "I liked the concerto for its natural flow." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["heavy", "large", "massive"], "verb + flow": ["have", "get", "obtain"], "flow + noun": ["rate", "chart", "diagram"], "preposition": ["against the flow", "flow among", "flow from"], "phrases": ["the ebb and flow", "in full flow", "the rate of flow"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "the movement of the sea towards the land", "cefr": "c1", "examples": [ { "text": "the **ebb and flow** of the tide" } ], "topics": ["Geography"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["heavy", "large", "massive"], "verb + flow": ["have", "get", "obtain"], "flow + noun": ["rate", "chart", "diagram"], "preposition": ["against the flow", "flow among", "flow from"], "phrases": ["the ebb and flow", "in full flow", "the rate of flow"] } }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "the repeated, often regular, movement from one state to another; the repeated change in level, numbers or amount", "examples": [ { "text": "the ebb and flow of the seasons" }, { "text": "She sat in silence enjoying the ebb and flow of conversation." }, { "text": "He had known her long enough to recognize the ebb and flow of her moods." }, { "text": "the natural ebb and flow of water" }, { "text": "We see a constant ebb and flow of jobs." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be relaxed and not worry about what you should do", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/fləʊ/", "audio": "fl/flow/flow__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/fləʊ/", "audio": "fl/flow/flow__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "Old English flōwan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vloeien, also to flood." }