What does "steam" mean?

1. (water vapour) the hot mist or gas that rises from boiling water. 2. (energy or momentum) the energy or speed you have when doing something. 3. (to move with force) to move somewhere very quickly and with a lot of energy or anger. 4. (to mist up) to become covered in tiny drops of water so you cannot see through it.

steam — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01water vapour

B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun Science

n. the hot mist or gas that rises from boiling water.

n. the hot gaseous form of water or the visible cloud of condensate formed when water vapour meets cooler air.

“Be careful when you open the pot, as the hot steam can burn your skin.”

“A thick cloud of steam rose from the geothermal vent, obscuring the hikers' view of the valley floor for several minutes.”

Synonyms

vapour mist haze

02energy or momentum

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal

n. the energy or speed you have when doing something.

n. metaphorical energy, momentum, or motive power required for progress.

“The project started well, but it began to lose steam after the first month.”

“The campaign gained significant steam following the endorsement from the local community leaders, leading to a surge in volunteer applications.”

Synonyms

momentum energy drive

03to move with force

C1 · Advanced Informal

v. to move somewhere very quickly and with a lot of energy or anger.

v. to move with great purposefulness or speed, often implying a lack of regard for obstacles.

“He was so angry that he steamed out of the room without saying goodbye.”

“The heavy locomotive steamed through the countryside, its rhythmic chugging audible from miles away across the open plains.”

Synonyms

charge march storm

04to mist up

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to become covered in tiny drops of water so you cannot see through it.

v. to become covered with condensed water vapour, typically referring to glass surfaces.

“The bathroom mirror always steams up when I take a hot shower.”

“The car windows began to steam up rapidly as the temperature outside dropped, forcing the driver to turn on the defroster.”

Synonyms

fog mist

Antonyms

clear

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “steam” in context.

Verb

01. emit steam

“The old radiator began to emit steam, filling the room with a damp warmth.”

verb + noun

02. let off steam

“After a stressful week at the office, he went to the gym to let off steam.”

verb + adv + noun

03. pick up steam

“The political campaign started slowly but is finally picking up steam as the election nears.”

verb + adv + noun

04. run on steam

“In the nineteenth century, most trains and factory machines ran on steam.”

verb + prep + noun

Noun

05. cloud of steam

“A thick cloud of steam rose from the pot when she lifted the lid.”

noun + of + noun

06. steam engine

“The invention of the steam engine revolutionized transportation and industry.”

noun + noun

Preposition

07. full of steam

“The bathroom was full of steam after his long, hot shower.”

adj + prep + noun

08. under your own steam

“She didn't need a lift to the station; she decided to get there under her own steam.”

prep + adj + noun

“He also defined the temperature at which water boils and turns into steam to be 212 degrees F.”

The Conversation 24 Aug 2026

“Cheaper models swap the milk carafe for a steam wand, so check before you buy.”

The Guardian 19 Aug 2026

“Photo: Michael Hession The best way to make coffee in a moka pot is to start by pouring boiling water into the base up to the steam valve.”

The New York Times 8 Jan 2026

From Middle English steem, stem, from Old English stēam (“steam, hot exhalation, hot breath; that which emits vapour; blood”), from Proto-Germanic staumaz (“steam, vapour, breath”), from Proto-Indo-European dʰewh₂- (“to whirl, waft, stink, shake; steam, haze, smoke”). Cognate with Scots stem, steam (“steam”), West Frisian steam (“steam, vapour”), Dutch stoom (“steam, vapour”), Low German stom (“steam”), Swedish dialectal stimma (“steam, fog”), Latin fūmus (“smoke, steam”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

NOUN

steam(B2)

ADJECTIVE