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to steam
01
to release hot water vapor into the air
Intransitive
Examples
As the kettle heated up, it began to steam, signaling that the water was boiling.
02
to cook using the steam of boiling water
Transitive: to steam food
Examples
She loves to steam vegetables for a healthy side dish.
03
(of a ship or train) to travel using engines fueled by steam
Intransitive: to steam to a direction
Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
movement verb
regular
present tense
steam
3rd person singular
steams
present participle
steaming
past simple
steamed
past participle
steamed
Examples
The steamship steamed across the Atlantic Ocean, carrying passengers and cargo to New York City.
04
to subject something to hot water vapor for cleaning, sanitizing, or treating purposes
Transitive: to steam sth
Examples
The kitchen staff regularly steam the restaurant's stainless steel appliances.
05
to become angry or enraged
Intransitive
Examples
He began to steam when he realized his car had been towed from the no-parking zone.
06
to rise as or turn into vapor
Intransitive
Examples
The hot soup continued to steam as it simmered on the stove.
Steam
Grammatical Information
animacy status
inanimate
Composition
Simple
uncountable
Examples
Steam rose from the kettle as the water reached its boiling point.
1.1
energy or power produced by the pressure of boiling water vapor
Examples
The factory operated using steam from the boilers.
Lexical Tree
steamed
steamer
steaming
steam
