steam
(noun, verb)
past tense: steamed
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Steam is water in a gas or vapor form.
- Steam fills the bathroom whenever Jesse showers.
- If you inhale the steam from your hot tea, it will help your cold.
Steam also means ‘to heat with steam.’
- Steam the vegetables for three minutes to retain the vitamins.
- The tailor steamed the jacket after he sewed on the collar.
Steam can also mean ‘to be covered with condensed steam.’
- When the chef opened the oven, her glasses steamed up.
- The car windows steam up during a rainstorm.
Common uses
steam bath: a room filled with steam for the purpose of relaxing and cleaning.
steam engine: an engine, usually on a train or boat, powered by steam.
Related words
Steamy means ‘covered with steam’ or ‘hot,’ but it can also mean ‘sexually arousing.’ Example: “Alice was reading a steamy novel.’
In pop culture
Enjoy Peter Gabriel’s music video of his song, “Steam.” Watch for the steam bath and steam engine. Do you think this video is steamy?
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