|
|
steam
|
|
- pronunciation:
- stim
- parts of speech:
- noun, verb
- features:
- Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
When you boil water, you create steam. Steam is water in the form of a gas. You can't actually see steam. It is invisible, but it is a powerful gas that actually has the force to make things move. Engines using the power of steam can make a ship travel across an ocean or a train travel across a continent. When steam cools in the air, it forms tiny drops that you can see. We also call this "steam," but the meaning is a little different.
Trains and ships were usually powered by steam in the nineteenth century.Nowadays steam is often used in the process of making electricity. |
| definition 2: |
Steam is the white mist formed in the air when water vapor cools.
The bathroom was full of steam after my hot shower.
|
| definition 3: |
(informal) When you have the steam to do something, it means you have the energy to do it.
My mom said she didn't have the steam to make dinner last night, so we got pizza instead.- similar words:
- power
|
| related words: |
cloud, fog, vapor |
|
|
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
steams, steaming, steamed |
| definition 1: |
When something steams up, it means that it gets covered with mist or tiny drops of water.
The windows steamed up when we got into the cold car and dad turned on the heat. |
| definition 2: |
When you steam something, you use steam to cook or clean it.
The cook steamed the fish for eight minutes. |
| related words: |
boil, evaporate, sail |
|
|