steam

1 of 2verb

/stim/

Forms:steams,steaming,steamed,steamed

to release hot water vapor into the air

As the kettle heated up, it began to steam, signaling that the water was boiling.
The hot cup of coffee steamed in the cold morning air.
The pot of soup on the stove started to steam, filling the kitchen with a savory aroma.

to cook using the steam of boiling water

C1transitive

She loves to steam vegetables for a healthy side dish.
The chef prefers to steam fish rather than fry it to retain its natural flavors.
You can steam dumplings by placing them in a steamer basket over boiling water.
We decided to steam the lobster tails for a light and flavorful seafood dinner.
Instead of boiling, I like to steam my rice to achieve a fluffy texture.

(of a ship or train) to travel using engines fueled by steam

The steamship steamed across the Atlantic Ocean, carrying passengers and cargo to New York City.
The locomotive steamed through the countryside, chugging along the scenic route.
The cargo vessel steamed into the harbor, laden with goods from distant ports.
The naval destroyer steamed at full speed toward the enemy fleet, ready for battle.
The tugboat steamed upriver, towing barges laden with cargo.

Synonyms:

to subject something to hot water vapor for cleaning, sanitizing, or treating purposes

transitive

The kitchen staff regularly steam the restaurant's stainless steel appliances.
He used a handheld steamer to steam the wrinkles out of his suit before the important meeting.
The spa offers a facial treatment where they steam the pores to remove impurities and rejuvenate the skin.
The clothing manufacturer steamed the garments to remove wrinkles and ensure a crisp finish before packaging.
To sanitize the bathroom tiles, she decided to steam them instead of using harsh chemicals.

Synonyms:

to become angry or enraged

He began to steam when he realized his car had been towed from the no-parking zone.
She was steaming after discovering her roommate had eaten her leftovers without asking.
The coach started to steam when he saw the opposing team's flagrant foul go unpunished.
He steamed silently as his colleague took credit for his idea in the meeting.
The customer service representative was steaming after dealing with a string of irate callers.

to rise as or turn into vapor

The hot soup continued to steam as it simmered on the stove.
The freshly brewed coffee steamed in the mug.
The geothermal hot spring steamed gently, its warm waters providing relaxation for bathers.
As the sun rose over the lake, the water's surface began to steam.