steam

Pronunciation: /stiːm/

Definition of steam

[mass noun]

the vapour into which water is converted when heated, forming a white mist of minute water droplets in the air: a cloud of steam steam was rising from the mugs of coffee she wiped the steam off the mirror
the invisible gaseous form of water, formed by boiling, from which this vapour condenses.
the expansive force of steam used as a source of power for machines:the equipment was originally powered by steam [as modifier]:a steam locomotive
locomotives and railway systems powered by steam:we were trainspotters in the last years of steam
energy and momentum or impetus:the anti-corruption drive gathered steam

1 [no object] give off or produce steam:a mug of coffee was steaming at her elbow
(steam up or steam something up) become or cause something to become covered or misted over with steam: [no object]:the glass keeps steaming up [with object]:the warm air had begun to steam up the windows

2 [with object] cook (food) by heating it in steam from boiling water:steam the vegetables until just tender
[no object] (of food) cook by heating in steam:leave the mussels to steam
clean or otherwise treat with steam:he steamed his shirts to remove the odour
[with object and complement or adverbial] apply steam to (something fixed with adhesive) so as to open or loosen it:he’d steamed the letter open and then resealed it

3 [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of a ship or train) travel somewhere under steam power:the 11.54 steamed into the station
informal come, go, or move somewhere rapidly or in a forceful way:Jeremy steamed in ten minutes late figurativethe company has steamed ahead with its investment programme
[no object] (steam in) British informal start or join a fight: he’ll be the one to throw the first punch, then run to the back when the others steam in
[no object] (often as noun steaming) informal (of a gang of thieves) move rapidly through a public place, stealing things or robbing people on the way: steaming is not restricted to tube trains

4 [no object] (often be/get steamed up) informal be or become extremely agitated or angry:you got all steamed up over nothing! after steaming behind the closed door in his office, he came out and screamed at her

5 [with object] generate steam in and operate (a steam locomotive): you can learn the intricacies of steaming a locomotive for the first time

Phrases

get up (or pick up) steam
have steam coming out of one's ears: informal be extremely angry or irritated.
in steam: (of a steam locomotive) ready for work, with steam in the boiler: both of the engines were recently in steam
let (or blow) off steam: informal get rid of pent-up energy or strong emotion: the kids can let off steam in the gardens while mum and dad have a relaxing drink sometimes it’s good to let off steam by having a good whinge
run out of steam: informal lose impetus or enthusiasm:a rebellion that had run out of steam
under one's own steam: British (with reference to travel) without assistance from others:we’re going to have to get there under our own steam
under steam: (of a machine) being operated by steam: the only beam engine working under steam in Cornwall

Old English stēam 'vapour', stēman 'emit a scent, be exhaled', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stoom 'steam'

Definition of steam in the US English dictionary