First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1steam
noun \ˈstēm\
: the hot gas that is created when water is boiled
: steam that is created by a machine and kept under pressure to provide power
: very small drops of water that form on a surface when warm air that contains a lot of water is cooled down
Full Definition of STEAM
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 b : active force : power, momentum <got there under his own steam> <sales began to pick up steam>; also : normal force <at full steam> c : pent-up emotional tension <needed to let off a little steam>
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Origin of STEAM
Middle English stem, from Old English stēam; akin to Dutch stoom steam
2steam
verb
: to produce steam
: to cook, heat, or treat (something) with steam
: to cause (something, such as a piece of glass) to become covered with small drops of water
Full Definition of STEAM
transitive verb1
: to give out as fumes : exhale
2
: to apply steam to; especially : to expose to the action of steam (as for softening or cooking)
intransitive verb
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>
See steam defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of STEAM
15th century
STEAMING Defined for Kids
1steam
noun \ˈstēm\
Definition of STEAM for Kids
1
: the vapor into which water is changed when heated to the boiling point
2
: steam or the heat or power produced by it when kept under pressure <Some houses are heated by steam.>
3
: the mist formed when water vapor cools
4
: driving force : power <By the end of the day, I had run out of steam.>
2steam
verb
steamedsteam·ing
Definition of STEAM for Kids
1
: to give off steam or vapor <The cocoa steamed fragrantly in the saucepan … — Madeleine L'Engle, A Wrinkle in Time>
2
: to rise or pass off as steam <Heat steamed from the pipes.>
3
: to move or travel by or as if by the power of steam <The ship steamed out of the harbor.> <She steamed past the fancy brick entrance to the golf course … — Carl Hiaasen, Hoot>
4
: to expose to steam (as for cooking)
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