Streaming
In short
Streaming is a method of delivering multimedia data over a network so it can be played immediately without waiting for a full download. It works by sending data in a continuous stream of small packets from a server to a device.
In plain words
Instead of downloading a whole movie or song first, you watch or listen as the data arrives. This allows for instant playback. It is the technology used by most modern video and music apps.
A simple example
When you watch a video on YouTube, the video starts playing almost instantly while the rest of the data continues to load in the background.
Why it matters
It saves storage space on devices because you do not need to keep large files. It also allows for instant access to massive libraries of content via the internet.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse streaming with downloading, where you must wait for the entire file to finish saving before you can use it.