steamer

American  

[stee-mer] / ˈsti mər /

noun

steamers plural

1. something propelled or operated by steam, as a steamship.

2. a person or thing that steams.

3. a device, pot, or container in which something is steamed.

4. soft-shell clam.

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verb (used without object)

1. to travel by steamship.

steamer British  

/ ˈstiːmə /

noun

1. a boat or ship driven by steam engines

2. Also called: steam box.  an apparatus for steaming wooden beams and planks to make them pliable for shipbuilding

3. a vessel used to cook food by steam

4. slang a clash of sporting teams characterized by rough play

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• steamers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of steamer

First recorded in 1805–15; steam + -er ¹

Example Sentences

These are foam or gel-filled toys of various brands shaped like bao buns, and sometimes sold in plastic replicas of bamboo steamer baskets.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

He left behind a massive steamer trunk full of manuscripts, many of which were attributed to artists not named Fernando Pessoa.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

Jim, young and idealistic, is chief mate on a steamer carrying 800 pilgrims from Singapore to Mecca.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

Don't forget fruit and vegetables - the latter can be cooked with a steamer on one hob, rather than using different ones.

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2025

The climate was not with me, however, for a group from the house caught the Clyde steamer at Tarbert and the next morning we were in London.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson

Related Words

• barge
• boat
• craft
• liner
• ocean liner
• tanker