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steam

n. · v.
US //ˈstim// UK //stˈiːm// steam
  1. 1 water vapour (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Science

    the hot mist or gas that rises from boiling water.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    A thick cloud of steam rose from the geothermal vent, obscuring the hikers' view of the valley floor for several minutes.
  2. 2 energy or momentum (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    the energy or speed you have when doing something.

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The campaign gained significant steam following the endorsement from the local community leaders, leading to a surge in volunteer applications.
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  1. 3 to move with force (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The heavy locomotive steamed through the countryside, its rhythmic chugging audible from miles away across the open plains.
  2. 4 to mist up (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

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”).

Word family
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