1. Toward the source or against the current
   "went upstream to look at the fish";
   - upriver
    
2. At an earlier stage in a process or sequence
   "The problem originated upstream in the manufacturing process"

1. In the direction against a stream's current
   "The salmon swam upstream to spawn"
    
2. Occurring at an earlier stage in a process or closer to a source or raw materials
   "Upstream oil production was affected by the storm"
    
3. (genetics) located before a particular point in the direction of gene expression
   "The upstream promoter region controls gene activation"

Antonym: downstream

Encyclopedia: Upstream