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
c
: pent-up emotional tension
needed to let off a little steam
4
a
b
: travel by or a trip in a steamer
steamed; steaming; steams
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)
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
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
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
Even nail minimalists want to blow off steam sometimes—and bubblegum nails are the teensy shade shift that is keeping things cute for spring.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Many artificial intelligence researchers warn that the threat is gathering steam.
—Tiffany Hsu, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
That effort could gain steam should Johnson bring up a vote on funding for Ukraine.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2024
The efforts in Michigan first gained steam ahead of the state's February primary as a protest to the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2024
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
Nicole Clausing, Sunset Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Add eggs to basket; cover and steam 13 to 14 minutes.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
In this new age of steal and steam, transatlantic trade costs dropped by roughly 60%.
—TIME, 18 Mar. 2024
My introduction to broccoli was my mom boiling or steaming it to fill the role of the vegetables on my plate alongside meat and a starch.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Sharpe started off by filling a vase with steaming hot water.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024
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
Noun
The development packs in perks like a yoga studio, a hydrotherapy spa, a steam room and sauna, and a high-end fitness center by the Wright Fit.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
Even nail minimalists want to blow off steam sometimes—and bubblegum nails are the teensy shade shift that is keeping things cute for spring.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Many artificial intelligence researchers warn that the threat is gathering steam.
—Tiffany Hsu, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2024
That effort could gain steam should Johnson bring up a vote on funding for Ukraine.
—Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2024
The efforts in Michigan first gained steam ahead of the state's February primary as a protest to the Biden administration's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
—Isabella Murray, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2024
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
Verb
Grilling the vegetable makes for a much more interesting textural experience than steaming or boiling.
—Nicole Clausing, Sunset Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Add eggs to basket; cover and steam 13 to 14 minutes.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
In this new age of steal and steam, transatlantic trade costs dropped by roughly 60%.
—TIME, 18 Mar. 2024
My introduction to broccoli was my mom boiling or steaming it to fill the role of the vegetables on my plate alongside meat and a starch.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Sharpe started off by filling a vase with steaming hot water.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024
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
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
Phrases Containing steam
Dictionary Entries Near steam
Cite this Entry
“Steam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steam. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
steam
1 of 2 noun1
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 verb1
: 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
Nglish: Translation of steam for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of steam for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about steam
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