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
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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 18 Jun. 2025.
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samovar
noun
sam·o·var
ˈsam-ə-ˌvär
: a container with a faucet used especially in Russia for tea
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