upstream

adjective further upstream · farther upstream · furthest upstream · farthest upstream

1. In a direction against the flow of a current or stream of fluid (typically water); upriver.
2. figuratively 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.
3. figuratively Involving exploration and pre-production rather than refining and selling.
4. figuratively In the direction from the client to the server.
5. figuratively Maintained, owned, or associated with the original developers of the given software; in contrast to a modified version downstream. The outage was caused by an upstream error in a payments library.
6. figuratively Towards the leading end (5′ end) of a DNA molecule.

Opposite: downstream

adverb further upstream · farther upstream · furthest upstream · farthest upstream

1. Against the current. In another moment a huge wave, like a muddy tidal bore, but almost scaldingly hot, came sweeping round the bend up-stream.

Opposite: downstream

verb upstreams · upstreaming · upstreamed

1. intransitive To stream upward.
2. transitive 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 upstreams

1. Part of the river towards the upstream direction. The total depth of water at the upstream was measured by using a pointer attached to a carriage sitting on the water table walls.
2. The original developers or maintainers of software.