# steamer

/ˈstimɝ/ (US) · /stˈiːmɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/steamer
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. a ship

noun · CEFR B1

a ship or boat that is powered by steam.

For teachers: a vessel propelled by a steam engine.

- The old steamer carried passengers across the lake every morning.
- By the late nineteenth century, the iron-hulled steamer had largely replaced sailing ships for transatlantic commercial transport.

### 2. cooking tool

noun · CEFR B1

a kitchen tool used to cook food using steam.

For teachers: a kitchen appliance or container used for steaming vegetables, fish, or other food items.

- Put the broccoli in the steamer for five minutes until it is tender.
- The chef recommended using a bamboo steamer to maintain the delicate texture of the handmade dumplings.

### 3. clothing tool

noun · CEFR B2

a device that uses steam to remove wrinkles from clothes.

For teachers: a handheld or upright device that emits steam to remove creases from fabric.

- I used a steamer on my suit because I didn't have an iron.
- The wardrobe assistant used a professional-grade steamer to ensure the silk gowns were flawless before the actors went on stage.

### 4. seafood

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a type of clam that people usually eat steamed.

For teachers: a soft-shell clam, especially the species Mya arenaria, typically served steamed.

- We ordered a big bucket of steamers at the restaurant by the beach.
- The coastal tavern is famous for its steamers, served simply with a side of drawn butter and clam broth.

### 5. wetsuit

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a wetsuit with long sleeves and long legs for cold water.

For teachers: a full-length wetsuit designed for thermal protection in cold water surfing or diving.

- You will need a thick steamer if you plan to surf here in winter.
- Despite the bright sunshine, the water temperature necessitated a 4mm steamer for any session lasting over an hour.

### 6. betting

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Technical

a horse that many people are betting on, so its price goes down.

For teachers: a racehorse whose odds are shortening rapidly due to a high volume of bets.

- That horse was a real steamer this morning, dropping from 10-1 to 4-1.
- Professional gamblers often track steamers to identify where the 'smart money' is moving before the race begins.

## Examples

- I use a bamboo steamer to cook my vegetables.
- The chef placed the dumplings in the steamer for ten minutes until the dough was translucent and firm.
- While traditional irons are effective for heavy cotton, a handheld steamer is often preferred for delicate fabrics that might be scorched by direct contact with a hot metal plate.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.