steamer

noun

steam·​er ˈstē-mər 

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

: soft-shell clam

Examples of steamer in a Sentence

We rode a steamer down the Mississippi.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Wilderness Legacy, which was completed in 1984 and is a replica of turn-of-the-century coastal steamers complete with Victorian-style wood cabinetry, was the first to respond. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 10 Aug. 2026

In 1887, the Lucinda Van Valkenburg was struck by a steamer and sank, though for a while the masts remained standing high out of the water and were an obstruction to other ships. — Stacy Conde, Midwest Living, 10 Aug. 2026

Infused with menthol and essential oils, each steamer releases a refreshing scent for 10 to 15 minutes and is individually wrapped for easy storage or travel. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

With little formal education, Mulholland had left his native Ireland in his teens, worked steamer ships on the Great Lakes, labored in lumber camps and prospected for gold. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing steamer

• steamer rug
• steamer trunk

Rhymes for steamer

• beamer
• creamer
• dreamer
• femur
• lemur
• reamer
• schemer
• streamer
• redeemer

Kids Definition

steamer

noun

steam·​er ˈstē-mər 

1

: a container in which something is steamed

2

a

: a ship driven by steam

b

: an engine, machine, or vehicle run by steam