steam Hear it!

steam Definition

steam (stēm)

noun

  1. Obsolete a vapor, fume, or exhalation
    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

steam Idioms

let off steam

or blow off steam

Informal to express strong feeling; release pent-up emotion

steam up

Informal to make excited or angry

under one's own steam

Informal by means of one's own power, efforts, or resources

steam Synonyms

steam

n.

vaporized water, fumes, fog; see cloud 1, vapor.

steam Synonyms

steam

v.

  1. To cook

    heat, poach, brew, pressure cook; see cook.

  2. To speed

    rush, sail, hurry; see drive 1, speed.

steam Usage Examples

Object

  • dumpling: The classic dining experience is Dim Sum, intricate canapés of steamed shrimp dumplings, barbecued pork buns and deep-fried spring rolls.
  • pudding: You'll want to try the vegan pesto, moussaka or even the steamed chocolate pudding with an innovative surprise ingredient!
  • broccoli: Cut steamed broccoli into small florets and add with Ramiro pepper and little radish to the chicken.
  • mug: Stephen nodded and gulped down the steaming mug of coffee that TIM materialized for him.
  • rice: Even plain, steamed rice can benefit from the addition of a little coconut in any one of its various forms.
  • vegetable: When steaming vegetables such as potatoes, cauliflower, zucchini, peas, and summer squash, season them with tarragon butter.

Converse of object

  • superheat: The steam in this running tank would supply superheated steam to the steam engine.
  • condense: By condensing the exhaust steam a vacuum is created in the low pressure cylinder, thus increasing the power.
  • inhale: You apply different colored medicinal chakra muds to specific areas of your bodies whilst you gently inhale steam infused with pure herbs.

Adjective modifier

  • high-pressure: High-pressure steam from this combustion process expands out a rocket nozzle or drives a turbine that turns a propeller screw.
  • Southern: Filmed by competent cameramen, using the best of equipment, this really is the definitive story of Southern steam at the end.

Modifies a noun

  • locomotive: Take for example the first steam locomotive to run on rails in England.
  • engine: The night left her broken up with only the steam engine block pointing out, which can still be seen today.
  • loco: From John Harkness, steam loco driver at Harrington No 10 Colliery.
  • turbine: Wind turbines, hydro power, aircraft engines, steam turbines all provide possible designs.
  • railroad: A steam railroad links the two sites on certain days of the year.
  • train: Q Where would you see steam trains today where the crew had a single line train staff?

Noun used with modifier

  • gage: It was built in 1863 and was the first ( alongside sister engine Princess ) 2ft gage steam loco built.
  • exhaust: By condensing the exhaust steam a vacuum is created in the low pressure cylinder, thus increasing the power.
  • clinker: The black pipe at the top of the opening is perforated on the firebox side and supplies clinker control steam.
steam Quotes

   That vessel in which the powers of steam are to be employed to work the engine, which is called the Cylinder in common fire engines, and which I call the SteamVessel, must, during the whole time the engine is at work, be kept ashot asthesteamthat entersit; first, by enclosing it ina case of wood, oranyother materialsthat transmit heat slowly; secondly, by surrounding it with steam or other heated bodies; and thirdly, by suffering neither water noranyother substance colder thansteam to enter and touch it during that time.

—Watt,James

Alone in the hissing laboratory of his wishes, Mr Pugh minces among bad vats and jeroboams, tiptoes through spinneys of murdering herbs, agony dancing in his crucibles, and mixes especially for Mrs Pugh a venomous porridge unknown to toxicologists which will scald and viper through her until her ears fall off like figs, her toes grow big and black as balloons, and steam comes screaming out of her navel.

—Thomas, Dylan Marlais

And the smell of the library was always the sameöthe musty odour of old clothes mixed with the keener scent of unwashed bodies, creating what the chief librarian had once described as 'the steam of the social soup'.

—Ackroyd, Peter