steam: Meaning and Definition of

steam

Pronunciation: (stēm), [key]
— n.
  1. water in the form of an invisible gas or vapor.
  2. water changed to this form by boiling, extensively used for the generation of mechanical power, for heating purposes, etc.
  3. the mist formed when the gas or vapor from boiling water condenses in the air.
  4. an exhalation of a vapor or mist.
  5. power or energy.
  6. to give vent to one's repressed emotions, esp. by talking or behaving in an unrestrained manner: Don't take her remarks too seriously—she was just blowing off steam.
—v.i.
  1. to emit or give off steam or vapor.
  2. to rise or pass off in the form of steam or vapor.
  3. to become covered with condensed steam, as a window or other surface (often fol. by up).
  4. to generate or produce steam, as in a boiler.
  5. to move or travel by the agency of steam.
  6. to move rapidly or evenly: He steamed out of the room.
  7. to be angry or show anger.
—v.t.
  1. to expose to or treat with steam, as in order to heat, cook, soften, renovate, or the like.
  2. to emit or exhale (steam or vapor).
  3. to cause to become irked or angry (often fol. by up).
  4. to convey by the agency of steam: to steam the ship safely into port.
—adj.
  1. heated by or heating with steam: a steam radiator.
  2. propelled by or propelling with a steam engine.
  3. operated by steam.
  4. conducting steam: a steam line.
  5. bathed with or affected by steam.
  6. of or pertaining to steam.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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