streamline

noun

1. A line that is tangent to the velocity of flow of a fluid; equivalent to the path of a specific particle in that flow.
2. On a weather chart, a line that is tangent to the flow of the wind.

verb

1. (transitive)To design and construct the contours of a vehicle etc. so as to offer the least resistance to its flow through a fluid.

   “The J's originally were streamlined after the style of the New Haven's 1400- class 4-6-4's and were considered by many to be a handsome locomotive. A program to gradually destreamline the class began in April 1947.”

2. (broadly, transitive)To simplify or organize a process in order to increase its efficiency.

   “The subcommittee concludes FDA should become less involved in the early stages of clinical research by streamlining and uncumbering its regulations governing them.”

   “This structure organizes and streamlines theme development to create a solid ground for themers (theme developers) to further build and extend, much like in object-oriented programming.”

   “A non-hormonal birth control capsule that women can insert just before sex. A rape kit that gives victims more agency and streamlines the evidence collection process. An overhauled design for a 150-year-old tool used in postpartum vaginal tearing.”

   “Mr. Manchin has insisted that legislation to streamline the permitting of fossil fuel and energy infrastructure projects, including the West Virginia pipeline, be tied to the spending measure, which is expected to keep the government funded through mid-December.”

   “In 2021, Egypt recategorized nurseries as micro-, small- and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which provides greater business benefits, including tax markdowns, and in 2024, Jordan streamlined the registration process for home-based nurseries, making it simpler to start a child-minding business from home.”

3. (transitive)To modernize.