Main Entry:

¹steam

Pronunciation:

\ˈstēm\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

1: a vapor arising from a heated substance2 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 vapor3 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 2a b: travel by or a trip in a steamer