A technology for transferring digital data (e.g., internet video) so it can be processed in real-time as a steady, continuous stream.

The users Internet browser or plug-in starts displaying data before the entire file has been transmitted, even though their access isn't fast enough to download a big multi-media file fast enough.

If the data is coming in more quickly than required, it will go into a buffer. If it does not come in quickly enough, the video playback may be interrupted, failing to play smoothly.