steam shovel

noun

a machine for digging or excavating, operated by its own engine and boiler.

Nearby words

steam locomotive, steam organ, steam point, steam reforming, steam room, steam-shovel, steam table, steam trap, steam turbine, steam up, steam whistle

Origin of steam shovel

An Americanism dating back to 1875–80

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for steam-shovel

But strength plows its scornful way through temperament like a steam-shovel.
I, Mary MacLane|Mary MacLane
Mr. Mainwaring told the boys that there is keen rivalry among the steam-shovel men.
The Boy Scouts at the Panama Canal|John Henry Goldfrap
"We ought to have brought a steam-shovel along," said Rainey.
A Man to His Mate|J. Allan Dunn
The spirit of rivalry nowhere counted for more than among the steam-shovel men.
The Panama Canal|Frederic Jennings Haskin

A steam-shovel driven by a certain horse-power would be nearly three times as effective there as here.
Curiosities of the Sky|Garrett Serviss

British Dictionary definitions for steam-shovel

steam-shovel

noun

a steam-driven mechanical excavator, esp one having a large bucket or grab on a beam slung from a revolving jib

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

steam shovel

noun

RELATED CONTENT

Nearby words

Origin of steam shovel

Examples from the Web for steam-shovel

British Dictionary definitions for steam-shovel

steam-shovel

noun