livestream: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Colloquial-to-Neutral. Common in informal, technical, business, and marketing contexts; increasingly used in mainstream media.
Quick answer
What does “livestream” mean?
To broadcast video and audio of an event in real time over the internet, enabling viewers to watch as it happens.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To broadcast video and audio of an event in real time over the internet, enabling viewers to watch as it happens.
The noun refers to the broadcast itself. As a verb, it also implies the action of producing or delivering such content. Conceptually, it represents the merging of immediacy (live) with distribution technology (stream).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: Both use 'livestream'. Possibly greater frequency of the hyphenated form 'live-stream' in some British edited writing, though the solid form dominates.
Connotations
Very similar. Slightly more established in the US tech/marketing lexicon earlier, but now ubiquitous in both.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties due to the global nature of internet culture and technology.
Grammar
How to Use “livestream” in a Sentence
livestream [EVENT] (on/through [PLATFORM])livestream to [AUDIENCE]be livestreamed (from [LOCATION])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “livestream” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The museum plans to livestream the curator's tour next Friday.
- She livestreams her art sessions on Twitch regularly.
American English
- The company will livestream the product reveal on their website.
- He livestreamed the whole concert from his phone.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb; typically part of a compound verb). The show was broadcast live-stream.
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb). They performed the song live-stream.
adjective
British English
- Join our livestream Q&A session at 7 PM GMT.
- The livestream feed dropped out during the storm.
American English
- Check out the livestream video on our Facebook page.
- We're experiencing livestream connectivity issues.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for product launches, earnings calls, and all-hands meetings ('The CEO will livestream the quarterly update').
Academic
Used for virtual lectures, conference presentations, and public seminars ('The panel discussion will be livestreamed for remote attendees').
Everyday
Used for sharing personal moments, gaming, tutorials, or social events on platforms like Instagram or Twitch ('I'm going to livestream my cooking tonight').
Technical
Refers to the process of encoding and transmitting real-time data packets over a network protocol like RTMP or HLS.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “livestream”
- Using 'stream' alone when 'live' is crucial for meaning ('I'll stream at 8' is ambiguous). Confusing verb tenses ('I livestreamed yesterday' vs. 'I was livestreaming').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The solid form 'livestream' is now the most common for both noun and verb, though 'live stream' (two words) and hyphenated 'live-stream' are also seen, especially in more formal edited text.
Yes, it's a true conversion/zero-derivation. 'We will livestream the event' (verb). 'Did you catch the livestream?' (noun).
'Stream' is a broader term for transmitting or playing media over the internet, which can be live or on-demand. 'Livestream' specifically denotes the content is being broadcast and viewed in real time.
Both are acceptable, following the base form. 'Livestreamed' is more common (e.g., 'He livestreamed for two hours'). The spelling should be consistent with how you write the base form.
To broadcast video and audio of an event in real time over the internet, enabling viewers to watch as it happens.
Livestream is usually colloquial-to-neutral. common in informal, technical, business, and marketing contexts; increasingly used in mainstream media. in register.
Livestream: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪv.striːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪv.striːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to be] live (in the sense of broadcasting)”
- “drop a live (informal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LIVE event (a concert, a talk) being carried by a STREAM of data flowing from the source to your screen.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIGITAL TELEVISION / A FLOW OF EXPERIENCE. The event is conceptualized as a continuous, real-time flow of audiovisual information to the viewer.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary semantic component of 'livestream' that distinguishes it from simply 'streaming' a video?