I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adverb (or adjective)
Etymology: down (III) + stream, n.
: down a stream : in the direction of flow of a stream
II. adverb (or adjective)
: in the same direction along a molecule of DNA or RNA as that in which transcription and translation take place and toward the end having a hydroxyl group attached to the position labeled 3′ in the terminal nucleotide
a nucleotide sequence located downstream from the regulatory gene
— compare upstream 2 herein
III. adjective (or adverb)
: of, relating to, in, or toward the later stages of a usually industrial process
downstream products
improve profits downstream