steam

¹ American  

[steem] / stim /

noun

1. water in the form of an invisible gas or vapor.

2. water changed to this form by boiling, extensively used for the generation of mechanical power, for heating purposes, etc.

3. the mist formed when the gas or vapor from boiling water condenses in the air.

4. an exhalation of a vapor or mist.

5. Informal. power or energy.

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verb (used without object)

1. to emit or give off steam or vapor.

2. to rise or pass off in the form of steam or vapor.

3. to become covered with condensed steam, as a window or other surface (often followed byup ).

4. to generate or produce steam, as in a boiler.

5. to move or travel by the agency of steam.

6. to move rapidly or evenly.

   He steamed out of the room.

7. Informal. to be angry or show anger.

   Fans are still steaming from Monday night’s sloppy 5-4 loss.

verb (used with object)

1. to expose to or treat with steam, as in order to heat, cook, soften, renovate, or the like.

2. to emit or exhale (steam or vapor).

3. Informal. to cause to become irked or angry (often followed byup ).

4. to convey by the agency of steam.

   to steam the ship safely into port.

adjective

1. heated by or heating with steam.

   a steam radiator.

2. propelled by or propelling with a steam engine.

3. operated by steam.

4. conducting steam.

   a steam line.

5. bathed with or affected by steam.

6. of or relating to steam.

idioms

1. blow / let off steam, to give vent to one's repressed emotions, especially by talking or behaving in an unrestrained manner.

   Don't take her remarks too seriously—she was just blowing off steam.

STEAM ² American  

[steem] / stim /

noun

1. science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, considered as a group of academic or career fields (often used attributively).

   Engaging students in STEAM subjects helps them become adept at solving all kinds of problems they might encounter, regardless of their chosen careers.

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steam British  

/ stiːm /

noun

1. the gas or vapour into which water is changed when boiled

2. the mist formed when such gas or vapour condenses in the atmosphere

3. any vaporous exhalation

4. informal power, energy, or speed

5. 1. (of a ship, etc) to work up a sufficient head of steam in a boiler to drive an engine

   2. informal to go quickly

6. informal to release pent-up energy or emotions

7. without the assistance of others

8. slang cheap wine

9. (modifier) driven, operated, heated, powered, etc, by steam

   a steam radiator

10. (modifier) treated by steam

    steam ironed

    steam cleaning

11. humorous (modifier) old-fashioned; outmoded

    steam radio

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verb

1. to emit or be emitted as steam

2. (intr) to generate steam, as a boiler, etc

3. (intr) to move or travel by steam power, as a ship, etc

4. informal (intr) to proceed quickly and sometimes forcefully

5. to cook or be cooked in steam

6. (tr) to treat with steam or apply steam to, as in cleaning, pressing clothes, etc

steam Scientific  

/ stēm /

1. Water in its gaseous state, especially at a temperature above the boiling point of water (above 100°C, or 212°F, at sea level).

2. See Note at vapor

3. A mist of condensed water vapor.

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steam More Idioms  

1. see blow off steam; full speed (steam) ahead; get up steam; run out of steam; under one's own steam.

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Other Word Forms

• outsteam verb (used with object)
• presteam adjective
• steamless adjective
• unsteamed adjective
• unsteaming adjective

Etymology

Origin of steam

before 1000; Middle English steme, Old English stēam; cognate with Dutch stoom

Example Sentences

I think these projects are gaining steam largely because Tom, Emily, Brett and the whole team did such an amazing job with this film.

From Salon

Sales growth for U.S. retailers picked up in November, evidence that the consumer economy didn’t lose steam in the home stretch of last year.

From The Wall Street Journal

The coins quickly shot up in value at their launch but since have lost steam.

From The Wall Street Journal

Our daily meals were once again taken at Mrs. Wigginbottom’s crowded table, the memories of the Mississippi hotel’s swirly menu and sinfully good food fading like steam from a teakettle.

From Literature

The Conrad Spa certainly delivers on all counts, with beautiful facilities, including access to a pool and hot tub, a relaxation room, as well as a steam room and sauna.

From Salon