noun

1. Obsolete a vapor, fume, or exhalation
2. 1. water as converted into an invisible vapor or gas by being heated to the boiling point; vaporized water: it is used for heating, cooking, cleaning, and, under pressure, as a source of power
   2. the power supplied by steam under pressure
   3. Informal driving force; vigor; energy
3. condensed water vapor, seen as the mist condensed on windows or in the air above boiling water

Etymology: ME steme < OE steam, akin to Du stoom, WFris steam

adjective

1. using steam; heated, operated, propelled, etc. by steam
2. containing or conducting steam a steam pipe
3. treated with, or exposed to the action of, steam

intransitive verb

1. to give off steam or a steamlike vapor, esp. condensed water vapor
2. to rise or be given off as steam
3. to become covered with condensed steam: usually with up when the hot bath was drawn, the bathroom mirror steamed up
4. to generate steam
5. to move or travel by or as if by steam power
6. Informal to seethe with anger, vexation, etc.; fume

transitive verb

1. to treat with, or expose to the action of, steam; cook, soften, remove, open, etc. by using steam
2. to give off (vapor) or emit as steam