steam

1 of 2

noun

ˈstēm 

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

a

: steamer sense 2a

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

Synonyms

Verb

• boil
• burn
• foam
• fume
• rage
• rankle
• seethe
• sizzle
• storm

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

Topping that list was the luxurious spa that included several pools, two saunas, a steam room, and a myriad of services from facials to massage. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 7 Dec. 2024

There’s a private spa with a steam room and cold plunge, and a gym is stocked with a Pilates reformer, a Peloton bike and other high-end workout equipment. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 5 Dec. 2024

Verb

Combining over 15 advanced cooking functions—from slow cooking, steaming, and chopping to kneading, frying, and sous-vide cooking—this device simplifies meal preparation without compromising quality. —New Atlas, 8 Dec. 2024

This one is small enough to pack in a suitcase, and for steaming a few of his cotton shirts at a time. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 28 Nov. 2024

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

Phrases Containing steam

• blow off steam
• full steam/speed ahead
• gain/gather steam
• head of steam
• live steam
• lose steam
• pick up steam
• steam boiler
• steam chest
• steam clean
• steam engine
• steam iron
• steam shovel
• steam table
• steam turbine
• steam up
• under its own steam

Kids Definition

steam

1 of 2 noun

ˈstēm 

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