steamer

noun

steam·​er ˈstē-mər How to pronounce steamer (audio)
1
: a vessel in which articles are subjected to steam
2
a
: a ship propelled by steam
b
: an engine, machine, or vehicle operated or propelled by steam
3
: one that steams
4

Examples of steamer in a Sentence

We rode a steamer down the Mississippi.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
At 638-feet long, the ship delivered limestone and was considered the most updated and the largest steamer on the Great Lakes at the time, according to the Presque Isle County Historical Museum. Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025 Watch this video for 3 ways to use a steamer to clean your home. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025 Lastly, a steamer with window/glass attachment is a must. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 1 Nov. 2025 Pair it with local steamer clams or Dungeness crab mac and cheese, or snack on Tillamook cheese curds while watching surfers in the water. Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for steamer

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of steamer was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Steamer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steamer. Accessed 11 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

steamer

noun
steam·​er ˈstē-mər How to pronounce steamer (audio)
1
: a container in which something is steamed
2
a
: a ship driven by steam
b
: an engine, machine, or vehicle run by steam

More from Merriam-Webster on steamer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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