steampunk
Americannoun
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a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy featuring advanced machines and other technology based on steam power of the 19th century and taking place in a recognizable historical period or a fantasy world.
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a subculture inspired by this literary and film subgenre.
the fashions and gadgets of steampunk.
Usage
What does steampunk mean? Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy that features advanced machinery based on the steam-powered technology of the 1800s. It is typically set in a recognizable historical period or fantasy world. Steampunk is also an aesthetic movement that is inspired by this literary subgenre and by 19th-century technology in general, especially the steam engine.
Etymology
Origin of steampunk
First recorded in 1985–90; modeled on cyberpunk
Explanation
Steampunk is science fiction that's set in the 1800s and features the steam-powered technology of that era. Steampunk books, movies, and graphic novels imagine a futuristic world with elements of 19th century fashion and technology. Some steampunk machines, vehicles, and fashions seem like they were imagined in the 1800s. The word was coined in the late 1980s, modeled on cyberpunk, with steam referring to Victorian era steam engines. A steampunk outfit could include a long skirt and petticoat worn with brass goggles, or a vest, top hat, and pocket watch.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Journe FFC Prototype that features a black titanium, human-like hand that resembles a steampunk gauntlet that articulates the hours when the fingers extend or retract.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 24, 2025
I’m pleased to report that the car’s most beguiling bit of cabin jewelry—the faceted gear selector, like a steampunk gaming cube embedded in the center console—made it through to the latest redesign.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 25, 2025
Into this all-too-real context Netflix plunks the second season of “Arcane,” the vividly colorful and fast-moving adult animated steampunk adventure series based on Riot’s “League of Legends” video games.
From Salon • Nov. 12, 2024
The other takes place in an isolated black-and-white world that transforms, “Wizard of Oz” style, into a flashy, steampunk domain.
From New York Times • Mar. 2, 2024
Dozens of bronze and gold spheres like steampunk basketballs sat around in various stages of disassembly.
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
