steam

¹

[steem]

noun

1. water in the form of an invisible gas or vapor.

2. water changed to this form by boiling, extensively used for the generation of mechanical power, for heating purposes, etc.

3. the mist formed when the gas or vapor from boiling water condenses in the air.

4. an exhalation of a vapor or mist.

5. Informal.,  power or energy.

verb (used without object)

1. to emit or give off steam or vapor.

2. to rise or pass off in the form of steam or vapor.

3. to become covered with condensed steam, as a window or other surface (often followed byup ).

4. to generate or produce steam, as in a boiler.

5. to move or travel by the agency of steam.

6. to move rapidly or evenly.

   He steamed out of the room.

7. Informal.,  to be angry or show anger.

   Fans are still steaming from Monday night’s sloppy 5-4 loss.

verb (used with object)

1. to expose to or treat with steam, as in order to heat, cook, soften, renovate, or the like.

2. to emit or exhale (steam or vapor).

3. Informal.,  to cause to become irked or angry (often followed byup ).

4. to convey by the agency of steam.

   to steam the ship safely into port.

adjective

1. heated by or heating with steam.

   a steam radiator.

2. propelled by or propelling with a steam engine.

3. operated by steam.

4. conducting steam.

   a steam line.

5. bathed with or affected by steam.

6. of or relating to steam.

STEAM

²

[steem]

noun

1. science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, considered as a group of academic or career fields (often used attributively).

   Engaging students in STEAM subjects helps them become adept at solving all kinds of problems they might encounter, regardless of their chosen careers.

steam

/ stiːm /

noun

1. the gas or vapour into which water is changed when boiled

2. the mist formed when such gas or vapour condenses in the atmosphere

3. any vaporous exhalation

4. informal,  power, energy, or speed

5. 1. (of a ship, etc) to work up a sufficient head of steam in a boiler to drive an engine

   2. informal,  to go quickly

6. informal,  to release pent-up energy or emotions

7. without the assistance of others

8. slang,  cheap wine

9. (modifier) driven, operated, heated, powered, etc, by steam

   a steam radiator

10. (modifier) treated by steam

    steam ironed

    steam cleaning

11. humorous,  (modifier) old-fashioned; outmoded

    steam radio

verb

1. to emit or be emitted as steam

2. (intr) to generate steam, as a boiler, etc

3. (intr) to move or travel by steam power, as a ship, etc

4. informal,  (intr) to proceed quickly and sometimes forcefully

5. to cook or be cooked in steam

6. (tr) to treat with steam or apply steam to, as in cleaning, pressing clothes, etc

steam

1. Water in its gaseous state, especially at a temperature above the boiling point of water (above 100°C, or 212°F, at sea level).

2. See Note at vapor

3. A mist of condensed water vapor.

Other Word Forms

• steamless adjective
• outsteam verb (used with object)
• presteam adjective
• unsteamed adjective
• unsteaming adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steam¹

before 1000; Middle English steme, Old English stēam; cognate with Dutch stoom

Word History and Origins

Origin of steam¹

Old English; related to Dutch stoom steam, perhaps to Old High German stioban to raise dust, Gothic stubjus dust

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. blow / let off steam, to give vent to one's repressed emotions, especially by talking or behaving in an unrestrained manner.

   Don't take her remarks too seriously—she was just blowing off steam.

see blow off steam; full speed (steam) ahead; get up steam; run out of steam; under one's own steam.

Example Sentences

They, along with visitors, pay membership fees that provide on-site access and amenities that included a hot tub, sauna, steam room, a pool, a restaurant and more.

From Los Angeles Times

Studios continue to suffer from an overreliance on franchises that are losing steam.

From Los Angeles Times

Small temblors are also common around the Geysers geothermal steam field in California.

From Los Angeles Times

A loose-fingered sprinkle that collapsed into the pot like dried pine needles, instantly perfuming the steam.

From Salon

As the story gathered steam online, a group named the Weoley Warriors was formed, locals told us in the cafe, initially by three men but now said to have several dozen members.

From BBC