Illustration of samovar
- samovar 1
samovar
noun
sam·o·var
ˈsa-mə-ˌvär 
1
: an urn with a spigot at its base used especially in Russia to boil water for tea
2
: an urn similar to a Russian samovar with a device for heating the contents
Examples of samovar in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At around five o’clock, the mood on the Promenade shifted; samovars were replaced with trays of chilled white wine, and the street became an Ibiza of startup nightlife.
—
Caitlín Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Today, the cabinet sits in Sturge’s living room and houses her husband’s bourbon collection.
07 of 09
A Brass Samovar
From her mother-in-law, who had lived overseas for many years, Carla Aston inherited a brass samovar sourced in Iran.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2024
The oldest, who had begun his career as a waiter as long ago as 1896, brought to mind the elderly retainer Firs who fussed over the samovar in Chekhov’s play, The Cherry Orchard.
—Alan Philps, Town & Country, 5 July 2023
Entering a spacious room full of women in striking prints, avant-garde floral displays in every color, and a bright red samovar brewing tea in time for cocktail hour, the celebratory atmosphere was fitting.
—Maria Geyman, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2023
Amid the musicians are suitcases, a samovar and other keepsakes from the lives of central characters Chaim and Chaya, who meet in Halifax and go on to have a rocky romance.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022
Ivan Shabelnyk left home with a friend on March 23 to collect pine cones so the family could light the samovar and have tea.
—Anchorage Daily News, 2 Oct. 2022
Old-fashioned Chekhovian naturalism is banished to create a samovar-free zone.
—David Benedict, Variety, 8 July 2022
Authentic Russian balalaika melodies set the mood as hostesses serve a beverage from the samovar -- the Bolshoi Golden Troika, (a mix of coffee, vodka and liqueurs) created by the house of Seagram.
—Chris Dwyer, CNN, 11 Aug. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Caitlín Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025
Today, the cabinet sits in Sturge’s living room and houses her husband’s bourbon collection.
07 of 09
A Brass Samovar
From her mother-in-law, who had lived overseas for many years, Carla Aston inherited a brass samovar sourced in Iran.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2024
The oldest, who had begun his career as a waiter as long ago as 1896, brought to mind the elderly retainer Firs who fussed over the samovar in Chekhov’s play, The Cherry Orchard.
—Alan Philps, Town & Country, 5 July 2023
Entering a spacious room full of women in striking prints, avant-garde floral displays in every color, and a bright red samovar brewing tea in time for cocktail hour, the celebratory atmosphere was fitting.
—Maria Geyman, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2023
Amid the musicians are suitcases, a samovar and other keepsakes from the lives of central characters Chaim and Chaya, who meet in Halifax and go on to have a rocky romance.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022
Ivan Shabelnyk left home with a friend on March 23 to collect pine cones so the family could light the samovar and have tea.
—Anchorage Daily News, 2 Oct. 2022
Old-fashioned Chekhovian naturalism is banished to create a samovar-free zone.
—David Benedict, Variety, 8 July 2022
Authentic Russian balalaika melodies set the mood as hostesses serve a beverage from the samovar -- the Bolshoi Golden Troika, (a mix of coffee, vodka and liqueurs) created by the house of Seagram.
—Chris Dwyer, CNN, 11 Aug. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Samovar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samovar. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
samovar
noun
sam·o·var
ˈsam-ə-ˌvär
: a container with a faucet used especially in Russia for tea
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share