steam

1 of 2

noun

1
: a vapor arising from a heated substance
2
a
: the invisible vapor into which water is converted when heated to the boiling point
b
: the mist formed by the condensation on cooling of water vapor
3
a
: water vapor kept under pressure so as to supply energy for heating, cooking, or mechanical work
also : the power so generated
b
: active force : power, momentum
got there under his own steam
sales began to pick up steam
also : normal force
at full steam
c
: pent-up emotional tension
needed to let off a little steam
4
b
: travel by or a trip in a steamer

steam

2 of 2

verb

steamed; steaming; steams

transitive verb

1
: to give out as fumes : exhale
2
: to apply steam to
especially : to expose to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)

intransitive verb

1
: to rise or pass off as vapor
2
: to give off steam or vapor
3
a
: to move or travel by the agency of steam
b
: to move or proceed with energy or force
4
: to be angry : boil
steaming over the insult

Examples of steam in a Sentence

Noun Careful, the steam from the pot is hot. The boat runs on steam. He wiped the steam from the mirrors. He was afraid he would run out of steam before the end of the race. I was making good progress this morning, but now I'm starting to run out of steam. Verb a steaming bowl of soup She prefers to steam carrots rather than boil them. Their breath steamed the windows.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There’s also a sleek all-white kitchen sporting an eat-in island, top-tier Gaggenau and Sub-Zero appliances, and an accompanying breakfast nook, along with an opulent two-level primary suite featuring dual sitting areas, dressing rooms and baths, plus a gym, sauna and steam room. Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024 Carefully turn steam release handle to VENTING position, and let steam fully escape (float valve will drop). Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Mar. 2024 Hospital employees had planned to shut down the steam system and repair it on Aug. 23, the state report noted — but the storm hit and power went out on Aug. 21. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 21 Mar. 2024 Theories abound – disillusionment with traditional religious institutions, internal fights over gay rights, the clergy abuse scandal – but whatever the reasons, the trend appears to be gaining steam. The Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2024 While the Mandarin Oriental Residences and its amenities — which also include a steam room, meeting spaces, library and 24-hour concierge — will eventually be a residents-only affair, the space has played host to a number of high-profile guests in recent months aside from Yeoh. Tim Chan, Variety, 19 Mar. 2024 To set the scene, Eddie Hudson, a bartender, would blast the steam valves on the two espresso machines and dim the lights. Penelope Green, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Arizona Republicans want to change how 'gender' is defined and used in state laws His campaign quickly ran out of steam in that cycle. Ronald J. Hansen, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 The Tories have run out of ideas, and the Lib Dems have run out of steam. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Mar. 2024
Verb
These legumes with completely edible pods and seeds can be enjoyed raw, briefly steamed, or tossed in a skillet or wok to quickly sauté. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024 Then, just as Cecilia did, steam the fish in the microwave on a pair of chopsticks, raised from the surface of the plate. Lucas Sin, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2024 Three lactose-intolerant women are steamed over a surcharge for nondairy milk substitutions in Starbucks beverages. Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024 A lot of recipe call for steaming the meat to finish it. Jack Hennessy, Field & Stream, 13 Mar. 2024 Next thing, the girls are sitting cross legged on the floor in the corner of the small shop, each with a cup of steaming cocoa and between them a basket of soft, bright-eyed kittens. Marni Jameson, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024 This is why many parents prefer machines that steam as well as blend. Laura Denby, Parents, 29 Feb. 2024 Once a rough shape has been created, the felt is heated and steamed so that Mr. Mejia can stretch and shape it into the precise form. Lisa Richwine, The Christian Science Monitor, 7 Mar. 2024 Other menu options include edamame, gyoza and steamed bao buns. The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'steam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English stem, from Old English stēam; akin to Dutch stoom steam

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of steam was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near steam

Cite this Entry

“Steam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steam. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

steam

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the invisible vapor into which water is changed when heated to the boiling point
b
: the mist formed when water vapor cools
2
: water vapor kept under pressure so as to supply energy for heating, cooking, or mechanical work
also : the power so generated
3
a
: driving force : power
arrived under their own steam
b
: built-up tension
let off a little steam

steam

2 of 2 verb
1
: to rise or pass off as vapor
2
: to give off steam or vapor
3
: to move or travel by or as if by the power of steam
steamed up the river
4
: to be angry : boil
was steaming over the insult
5
: to expose to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)
steamed clams

More from Merriam-Webster on steam

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