I. ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adverb
Etymology: up (IV) + stream, n.
: in a direction nearer the source of a stream
traveled upstream
an extensive tract a few miles upstream — American Guide Series: Louisiana
II. adjective
1. : directed upstream
an upstream course
2. : situated or occurring upstream
the upstream countries — F.W.Morgan
III. adverb
1. : in or to a position within the production stream closer to manufacturing processes
2. : in a direction along a molecule of DNA or RNA opposite to that in which transcription and translation take place and toward the end having a hydroxyl group attached to the position labeled 5′ in the terminal nucleotide
a nucleotide sequence located upstream of the initiation codon
— compare downstream herein
IV. adjective
: of or relating to a portion of the production stream closer to basic extractive or manufacturing processes
an upstream chemical manufacturer
upstream profits