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

In sync with American tastes, there’s an apartment-sized amount of space and an armory of amenities, including an industrial-speed hairdryer and a clothes steamer for any emergency de-crinkling. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Mar. 2026

Place vegetables in a steamer basket set over boiling water. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 16 Mar. 2026

Plus, stock up on essentials like this portable clothes steamer that makes quick work of de-wrinkling clothes and this air purifier that makes your air clean and fresh. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026

Portable steamers and irons are bulky and require an outlet, time, and patience. —Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 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