steam

Water in the form of gas, produced when water becomes very hot.

• Steam rose from the kettle.
• The bathroom was full of steam.
• These old engines used steam to turn their wheels.

Similar words: water vapor

Common phrases: cloud of steam, steam engine, steam pressure, steam bath

A period of cooking food using the hot gas from boiling water.

• The beans need a short steam.
• Give the broccoli a five-minute steam.
• A gentle steam keeps the fish moist.

How to use it: give something a steam (Give the vegetables a quick steam before serving.)

Similar words: steaming

Common phrases: a quick steam, a short steam, ten minute steam

To cook food using the hot gas from boiling water.

• Steam the vegetables until soft.
• We steamed fish for dinner.
• Can you steam these dumplings without a special basket?

How to use it: steam something for a length of time (Steam the carrots for ten minutes.)

Similar words: steam-cook

Common phrases: steam vegetables, steam fish, steam dumplings

To use hot water gas on something to clean, soften, or prepare it.

• Steam the shirt to remove wrinkles.
• They steamed the wood before bending it.
• She steamed the old labels off the jars.

How to use it: steam something off something (We steamed the old wallpaper off the wall.)

Common phrases: steam clothes, steam wood, steam something clean

To give off hot water gas or a visible cloud of tiny water drops.

• The soup was steaming.
• Our breath steamed in the cold air.
• Hot water steamed gently in the bowl.

Similar words: give off vapor

Common phrases: steam in the cold, steam gently, steam into the air