Trickling

Trickling describes the slow, steady flow of a liquid or a substance in small drops or a thin stream. It can also refer to the gradual arrival or movement of something, such as information or people, in a slow, continuous manner. The essence of trickling is the idea of something progressing incrementally rather than in a rush. It often implies a lack of urgency or a gentle, almost barely perceptible, movement. The word conjures images of tiny, distinct drops, often of water, but can apply to sand, people, or data. The movement itself may be caused by gravity, a gradual release, or a slow leakage. The key concept is one of slowness, steadiness, and a subtle, often ongoing, effect. The pace is usually unhurried. A trickling effect suggests a steady accumulation over time.

Trickling meaning with examples

• Water was trickling from the leaky faucet, creating a persistent, quiet sound in the otherwise silent bathroom. The constant drip, drip, drip was almost hypnotic, the water slowly accumulating in a small puddle on the counter.
• News about the company's restructuring began trickling out to the public, with initial reports emerging through social media before officially announced on the company's site, gradually revealing the extent of the changes.
• As the hikers ascended the mountain, sweat was trickling down their foreheads, creating a cooling sensation despite the warm sun. They stopped to refill their canteens from a tiny stream trickling into a rocky crevice.
• The effects of the new policy began trickling into everyday life, first through the financial markets, then slowly affecting all areas, causing a new normal in the way people acted and bought and sold.