The channel or bottom of a stream, including the area that contains or has contained flowing water. This includes both the wetted area during normal flow and the broader channel that contains flood flows.
Compound word combining 'stream' (Old English 'stream') and 'bed' (Old English 'bedd'). The geographical usage developed naturally from the basic meaning of 'bed' as the bottom or foundation of something.
Streambeds are like conveyor belts constantly moving sediment downstream - a single pebble might travel hundreds of miles over thousands of years, getting smaller and rounder with each tumbling journey! Desert streambeds called arroyos might be dry for years, but when flash floods occur, they transform into raging torrents that can move car-sized boulders.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.