/ stiːm; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U ]
1.
the hot gas that water changes into when it boils :
Steam rose from the boiling kettle.
2.
the power that is produced from steam under pressure, used to operate engines, machines, etc. :
the introduction of steam in the 18th century
steam power
the steam age
a steam train / engine
3.
very small drops of water that form in the air or on cold surfaces when warm air suddenly cools
SYN condensation :
She wiped the steam from her glasses.
•
IDIOMS
- full speed / steam ahead
- get up / pick up steam
- let off steam
- run out of steam
- get, etc. somewhere under your own steam
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to send out steam :
a mug of steaming hot coffee
2.
to place food over boiling water so that it cooks in the steam; to be cooked in this way :
[ vn ]
steamed fish
[also v ]
3.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( of a boat, ship, etc. ) to move using the power produced by steam :
The boat steamed across the lake.
4.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( especially of a person ) to go somewhere very quickly :
He spotted her steaming down the corridor towards him.
( figurative )
The company is steaming ahead with its investment programme.
•
IDIOMS
- be / get (all) steamed up (about / over sth)
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- steam sth off | steam sth off sth
- steam sth open
- steam up | steam sth up
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English stēam vapour , stēman emit a scent, be exhaled , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch stoom steam .