steam
steem
Steam (noun) means the hot vapor that water turns into when it boils. Example: “Steam rose from the pot of boiling pasta.”
noun
1
The hot vapor that water turns into when it boils.
"Steam rose from the pot of boiling pasta."
"The kettle whistled as steam escaped from the spout."
"The bathroom mirror was covered in steam after her long hot shower."
2
Energy, momentum, or drive to keep going, especially in "run out of steam" or "pick up steam."
"The campaign lost steam after the initial excitement wore off."
"The runners were running out of steam as they reached the final hill."
"Once the new team got going, the project really picked up steam."
verb
1
To cook food using steam.
"She steamed the broccoli instead of boiling it to keep more nutrients."
"You can steam the dumplings in a covered basket over a pan of water."
"We usually steam fish with ginger because it keeps it soft."
2
To become angry or worked up.
"She steamed quietly while her brother took all the credit."
"Dad was steaming about the parking ticket all evening."
"He was steaming after losing the argument."
How to use steam
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe vapor from hot water, or figuratively, momentum and energy behind an effort.
Common pairings
run out of steam
pick up steam
let off steam
full steam ahead
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Word forms
- Plural
- steams
- Third person singular
- steams
- Past tense
- steamed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ rose from the pot of boiling pasta.
Etymology
From Old English steam, "vapor, hot exhalation," from a Germanic root also connected to the Dutch stoom.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for steam
See all rhymes for steam →Frequently asked questions
What does “steam” mean?
The word “steam” means the hot vapor that water turns into when it boils. In plain terms, the vapor from hot water, or figuratively, momentum and energy behind an effort.
How do you pronounce “steam”?
“Steam” is pronounced steem (/stiːm/ in IPA).
How do you use “steam” in a sentence?
Here is “steam” used in a sentence: “Steam rose from the pot of boiling pasta.”
What is the opposite of “steam”?
The opposite of “steam” — its antonyms — is electric.
What part of speech is “steam”?
Depending on how it is used, “steam” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “steam” come from?
The word “steam” comes from Old English. From Old English steam, "vapor, hot exhalation," from a Germanic root also connected to the Dutch stoom.
Is “steam” a common word?
“Steam” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “steam” have?
“Steam” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the hot vapor that water turns into when it boils.
What is the difference between steam and water vapor?
In everyday use the terms overlap, but there is a subtle distinction. True steam is the invisible gas water becomes at its boiling point. The white cloud you actually see is that vapor cooling and condensing into tiny droplets. So the visible cloud from a kettle is really condensed water vapor.
Is steam hotter than boiling water?
Steam forms at the same temperature as boiling water, around 100°C at sea level, but it carries extra heat energy absorbed during evaporation. When steam touches your skin and condenses back to water, it releases that energy, so a steam burn is often more severe than one from boiling water.
What is steam used for?
Steam has powered engines and turbines for centuries and still generates much of the world's electricity. In the home it is used for cooking, cleaning, and ironing, and it heats many buildings. Its ability to store and carry large amounts of heat makes it valuable across industry.
Can steam burn you?
Yes, and steam burns can be serious. Because steam holds more heat energy than boiling water at the same temperature, it releases a burst of heat when it condenses on your skin. This makes scalds from steam potentially deeper than those from hot water, so care is needed around kettles and pans.
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