steampunk

noun

steam·punk ˈstēm-ˌpəŋk

: science fiction dealing with 19th-century societies dominated by historical or imagined steam-powered technology

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I think Victorian fantasies are going to be the next big thing, as long as we can come up with a fitting collective term for [Tim] Powers, [James] Blaylock and myself. So wrote the science-fiction author K. W. Jeter, credited with coining the term steampunk in 1987 to describe a wave of fantasy novels set in Victorian times and celebrating the technology of the era, much of which was powered by steam. In both name and subject, steampunk is an antithesis to cyberpunk, a genre often noted for featuring computerized, futuristic, or unearthly settings. The popularity of steampunk has since carried over to motion pictures, fashion, and even things like restaurant décor.

Examples of steampunk in a Sentence

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Spectacular song-and-dance numbers enliven this Netflix original about a down-on-his-luck steampunk inventor who's inspired to recapture his old enthusiasm and creativity. —

EW.com, 20 Dec. 2024 Love Actually director Richard Curtis admits the 'stalker scene' is 'a bit weird' 07 of 20 Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) A Willy Wonka-esque inventor brings magical toys to life in this exuberant Victorian steampunk fable. —

EW.com, 30 Nov. 2024 Arcane is an adult drama that leans into an aesthetic that marries science fantasy and steampunk. —

Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Nov. 2024 Think black tie with steampunk, historical and fairy tale flourishes. —

Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for steampunk