samovar

noun

sam·​o·​var ˈsa-mə-ˌvär How to pronounce samovar (audio)
1
: an urn with a spigot at its base used especially in Russia to boil water for tea
2
: an urn similar to a Russian samovar with a device for heating the contents

Illustration of samovar

Illustration of samovar
  • samovar 1

Examples of samovar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At around five o’clock, the mood on the Promenade shifted; samovars were replaced with trays of chilled white wine, and the street became an Ibiza of startup nightlife. — Caitlín Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 Today, the cabinet sits in Sturge’s living room and houses her husband’s bourbon collection. 07 of 09 A Brass Samovar From her mother-in-law, who had lived overseas for many years, Carla Aston inherited a brass samovar sourced in Iran. — Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from samo- self + varit' to boil

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of samovar was in 1830

Rhymes for samovar

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Browse Nearby Words

Samothrace
samovar
Samoyed
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Cite this Entry

“Samovar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samovar. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

samovar

noun
sam·​o·​var ˈsam-ə-ˌvär How to pronounce samovar (audio)
: a container with a faucet used especially in Russia for tea

More from Merriam-Webster on samovar

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about samovar

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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