vapor

noun

va·por | \ ˈvā-pər

Definition of vapor

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : diffused matter (such as smoke or fog) suspended floating in the air and impairing its transparency

2a : a substance in the gaseous state as distinguished from the liquid or solid state

b : a substance (such as gasoline, alcohol, mercury, or benzoin) vaporized for industrial, therapeutic, or military uses also : a mixture (such as the explosive mixture in an internal combustion engine) of such a vapor with air

3a : something unsubstantial or transitory : phantasm

b : a foolish or fanciful idea

4 vapors plural

a archaic : exhalations of bodily organs (such as the stomach) held to affect the physical or mental condition

b : a depressed or hysterical nervous condition

vapor

verb

vapored; vaporing\ ˈvā-p(ə-)riŋ

Definition of vapor (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1a : to rise or pass off in vapor

b : to emit vapor

2 : to indulge in bragging, blustering, or idle talk

Other Words from vapor Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about vapor

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Synonyms for vapor

Synonyms: Verb

blow, boast, brag, bull [slang], crow, gasconade, swagger, vaunt

Did You Know?

Verb

Speakers of the English language, mindful of the lightness and unsubstantiality of floating air and gas, have put several airy words to good use over the years to describe the act of talking idly or boastfully. The earliest such word is blow (as in "he kept blowing about his new job"), which drifted into English sometime about 1400. Vapor wafted into the language in the 1620s, and a little over 200 years later windbags, later also known as gasbags, not only blew and vapored but also gassed about anything they could.

Examples of vapor in a Sentence

Verb

a faded Southern belle tiresomely vaporing about all the handsome beaux she had in her long-ago youth

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Those same chemicals carry over into the vapor that people inhale, the new study says. — Rachel Becker, The Verge, "Vape flavors can make nasty new chemicals in your e-liquid," 18 Oct. 2018 This type of pollution is generally caused by motor vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents, NOAA says. — Korin Miller, SELF, "How to Stay Safe When Your City’s Air Quality Is Dangerous," 21 Aug. 2018 But that's not enough to overcome the extremely low pressures of the Martian atmosphere, which would cause any ice to sublimate off into vapor instead of melting. — John Timmer, Ars Technica, "Possible lake spotted under a polar ice cap—on Mars," 25 July 2018 The researchers exposed cultured human bronchial cells to diluted cinnamon e-liquids and to e-liquid aerosol, or vapor, from an e-cigarette device purchased at a local vape shop in Chapel Hill. — Roni Caryn Rabin, New York Times, "Cinnamon May Be Safe in Foods, but Is It Safe in E-Cigarettes?," 1 June 2018 Evaporative: For this type, a fan draws air through a wet wick or filter and the vapor is released into the air. — Rachel Rothman, Good Housekeeping, "The Best Humidifiers to Buy This Winter," 20 Dec. 2018 Take a puff and hold your breath for three to five seconds, and the vapor evaporates in your mouth. — Katherine Bindley, WSJ, "Microwaved Fish Was Once the Workplace Aggravation—Now It’s Vaping," 14 Dec. 2018 Legionnaires’ disease is caused by a type of bacterium found in the environment and transmitted by breathing in a contaminated mist or vapor, occurring more often in hot and humid weather, according to health officials. — Angie Leventis Lourgos, chicagotribune.com, "9 sickened by Legionnaires' disease across McHenry County; public health officials investigating," 11 July 2018 Topping off your tank with that little extra after the pump stops increases the chance of harmful vapors escaping your tank. — Alex Leanse, Popular Mechanics, "9 Ways to Make Your Car More Eco-Friendly," 16 Dec. 2016

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

But whole body cryotherapy exposes the body for a couple of minutes to vapor that has been supercooled to somewhere between minus 200 and minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit. — Aaron E. Carroll, New York Times, "Cold Therapy? Maybe Better Save Your Money," 2 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vapor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.