1
: a vapor arising from a heated substance
2
a
: the invisible vapor into which water is converted when heated to the boiling point
b
: the mist formed by the condensation on cooling of water vapor
3
a
: water vapor kept under pressure so as to supply energy for heating, cooking, or mechanical work
also
: the power so generated
c
: pent-up emotional tension
needed to let off a little steam
4
a
b
: travel by or a trip in a steamer
steamed; steaming; steams
1
: to give out as fumes : exhale
2
: to apply steam to
especially
: to expose to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)
1
: to rise or pass off as vapor
2
: to give off steam or vapor
3
a
: to move or travel by the agency of steam
b
: to move or proceed with energy or force
4
: to be angry : boil
steaming over the insult
Synonyms
Examples of steam in a Sentence
Noun
Careful, the steam from the pot is hot.
The boat runs on steam.
He wiped the steam from the mirrors.
He was afraid he would run out of steam before the end of the race.
I was making good progress this morning, but now I'm starting to run out of steam.
Verb
a steaming bowl of soup
She prefers to steam carrots rather than boil them.
Their breath steamed the windows.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Its lid fits snuggly to seal in moisture and circulate steam.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
This unique, uncanny setting serves as a kind of second protagonist; Bellona’s streets occasionally reconfigure themselves, steam and smoke arise from unknown sources, and a second moon appears in the sky.
—Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2024
The viewer is treated to a full 1980s experience – slick streets with steam coming out heating vents, neon lit nights – combined with Hollywood touches like Hollywood backlots and sound stages.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
Other highlights inside the home include a home theater, as well as the fitness studio that includes a steam room and sauna.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
The hotel also features fitness class studios, a semi-Olympic pool, and a spa with saunas, steam rooms, and a snow shower.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
The development packs in perks like a yoga studio, a hydrotherapy spa, a steam room and sauna, and a high-end fitness center by the Wright Fit.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
Even nail minimalists want to blow off steam sometimes—and bubblegum nails are the teensy shade shift that is keeping things cute for spring.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Nicole Clausing, Sunset Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Add eggs to basket; cover and steam 13 to 14 minutes.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
In this new age of steal and steam, transatlantic trade costs dropped by roughly 60%.
—TIME, 18 Mar. 2024
My introduction to broccoli was my mom boiling or steaming it to fill the role of the vegetables on my plate alongside meat and a starch.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Sharpe started off by filling a vase with steaming hot water.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024
These legumes with completely edible pods and seeds can be enjoyed raw, briefly steamed, or tossed in a skillet or wok to quickly sauté.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
Then, just as Cecilia did, steam the fish in the microwave on a pair of chopsticks, raised from the surface of the plate.
—Lucas Sin, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2024
Three lactose-intolerant women are steamed over a surcharge for nondairy milk substitutions in Starbucks beverages.
—Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
Noun
Police received several tips from the community after their disappearance, as interest in their case gathered steam in the state and beyond.
—Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Its lid fits snuggly to seal in moisture and circulate steam.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024
This unique, uncanny setting serves as a kind of second protagonist; Bellona’s streets occasionally reconfigure themselves, steam and smoke arise from unknown sources, and a second moon appears in the sky.
—Ilana Masad, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2024
The viewer is treated to a full 1980s experience – slick streets with steam coming out heating vents, neon lit nights – combined with Hollywood touches like Hollywood backlots and sound stages.
—Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Apr. 2024
Other highlights inside the home include a home theater, as well as the fitness studio that includes a steam room and sauna.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 5 Apr. 2024
The hotel also features fitness class studios, a semi-Olympic pool, and a spa with saunas, steam rooms, and a snow shower.
—Monica Mendal, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2024
The development packs in perks like a yoga studio, a hydrotherapy spa, a steam room and sauna, and a high-end fitness center by the Wright Fit.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2024
Even nail minimalists want to blow off steam sometimes—and bubblegum nails are the teensy shade shift that is keeping things cute for spring.
—Elle Turner, Glamour, 2 Apr. 2024
Verb
Grilling the vegetable makes for a much more interesting textural experience than steaming or boiling.
—Nicole Clausing, Sunset Magazine, 26 Mar. 2024
Add eggs to basket; cover and steam 13 to 14 minutes.
—Julia Levy, Southern Living, 25 Mar. 2024
In this new age of steal and steam, transatlantic trade costs dropped by roughly 60%.
—TIME, 18 Mar. 2024
My introduction to broccoli was my mom boiling or steaming it to fill the role of the vegetables on my plate alongside meat and a starch.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 18 Mar. 2024
Sharpe started off by filling a vase with steaming hot water.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Mar. 2024
These legumes with completely edible pods and seeds can be enjoyed raw, briefly steamed, or tossed in a skillet or wok to quickly sauté.
—Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024
Then, just as Cecilia did, steam the fish in the microwave on a pair of chopsticks, raised from the surface of the plate.
—Lucas Sin, Bon Appétit, 20 Mar. 2024
Three lactose-intolerant women are steamed over a surcharge for nondairy milk substitutions in Starbucks beverages.
—Anne Marie Lee, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'steam.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near steam
Cite this Entry
“Steam.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steam. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
steam
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the invisible vapor into which water is changed when heated to the boiling point
b
: the mist formed when water vapor cools
2
: water vapor kept under pressure so as to supply energy for heating, cooking, or mechanical work
also
: the power so generated
3
a
: driving force : power
arrived under their own steam
b
: built-up tension
let off a little steam
steam
2 of 2 verb1
: to rise or pass off as vapor
2
: to give off steam or vapor
3
: to move or travel by or as if by the power of steam
steamed up the river
4
: to be angry : boil
was steaming over the insult
5
: to expose to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)
steamed clams
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