steam

[ steem ]

/ stim /

noun

water in the form of an invisible gas or vapor.

water changed to this form by boiling, extensively used for the generation of mechanical power, for heating purposes, etc.

the mist formed when the gas or vapor from boiling water condenses in the air.

an exhalation of a vapor or mist.

Informal. power or energy.

verb (used without object)

to emit or give off steam or vapor.

to rise or pass off in the form of steam or vapor.

to become covered with condensed steam, as a window or other surface (often followed by up).

to generate or produce steam, as in a boiler.

to move or travel by the agency of steam.

to move rapidly or evenly: He steamed out of the room.

Informal. to be angry or show anger: Fans are still steaming from Monday night’s sloppy 5-4 loss.

verb (used with object)

to expose to or treat with steam, as in order to heat, cook, soften, renovate, or the like.

to emit or exhale (steam or vapor).

Informal. to cause to become irked or angry (often followed by up).

to convey by the agency of steam: to steam the ship safely into port.

adjective

heated by or heating with steam: a steam radiator.

propelled by or propelling with a steam engine.

operated by steam.

conducting steam: a steam line.

bathed with or affected by steam.

of or relating to steam.

Idioms for steam

blow/let off steam, Informal. to give vent to one's repressed emotions, especially by talking or behaving in an unrestrained manner: Don't take her remarks too seriously—she was just blowing off steam.

Origin of steam

before 1000; Middle English steme, Old English stēam; cognate with Dutch stoom

OTHER WORDS FROM steam

steam·less, adjective out·steam, verb (used with object) pre·steam, adjective, verb (used with object) un·steamed, adjective

un·steam·ing, adjective

Words nearby steam

stealth, stealth bomber, stealth tax, stealth technology, stealthy, steam, steam bath, steam beer, steam boiler, steam chest, steam coal

British Dictionary definitions for blow off steam

steam

/ (stiːm) /

noun

the gas or vapour into which water is changed when boiled

the mist formed when such gas or vapour condenses in the atmosphere

any vaporous exhalation

informal power, energy, or speed

get up steam

(of a ship, etc) to work up a sufficient head of steam in a boiler to drive an engine
informal to go quickly

let off steam informal to release pent-up energy or emotions

under one's own steam without the assistance of others

Australian slang cheap wine

(modifier) driven, operated, heated, powered, etc, by steam a steam radiator

(modifier) treated by steam steam ironed; steam cleaning

(modifier) jocular old-fashioned; outmoded steam radio

verb

to emit or be emitted as steam

(intr) to generate steam, as a boiler, etc

(intr) to move or travel by steam power, as a ship, etc

(intr) informal to proceed quickly and sometimes forcefully

to cook or be cooked in steam

(tr) to treat with steam or apply steam to, as in cleaning, pressing clothes, etc

Word Origin for steam

Old English; related to Dutch stoom steam, perhaps to Old High German stioban to raise dust, Gothic stubjus dust

Scientific definitions for blow off steam

steam

[ stēm ]

Water in its gaseous state, especially at a temperature above the boiling point of water (above 100°C, or 212°F, at sea level). See Note at vapor.

A mist of condensed water vapor.

Idioms and Phrases with blow off steam (1 of 2)

blow off steam

Also, let off steam. Air or relieve one's pent-up feelings by loud talk or vigorous activity. For example, Joan's shouting did not mean she was angry at you; she was just blowing off steam, or After spending the day on very exacting work, Tom blew off steam by going for a long run. This metaphoric term refers to easing the pressure in a steam engine. [Early 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with blow off steam (2 of 2)

steam

see blow off steam; full speed (steam) ahead; get up steam; run out of steam; under one's own steam.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

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steam