n.
- the hot vapour into which water is converted when heated, which condenses in the air into a mist of minute water droplets.
- the expansive force of this vapour used as a source of power for machines.
- momentum; impetus:
the dispute gathered steam.
v.
- give off or produce steam.
▸
(steam up or steam something up)
become or cause something to become misted over with steam.
- cook (food) by heating it in steam from boiling water.
▸clean or otherwise treat with steam.
▸apply steam to (something fixed with adhesive) so as to open or loosen it.
- (of a ship or train) travel somewhere under steam power.
▸informal come, go, or move somewhere rapidly or in a forceful way.
▸generate steam in and operate (a steam locomotive).
-
(be/get steamed up)
informal be or become extremely agitated or angry.
Phrase
- get up
(or pick up)
steam
- generate enough pressure to drive a steam engine.
- (of an activity, project, etc.) gradually gain impetus.
- have steam coming out of one's ears
informal be extremely angry. - let
(or blow)
off steam
informal get rid of pent-up energy or strong emotion. - run out of
(or lose)
steam
informal lose impetus or enthusiasm. - under one's own steam
without assistance from others.
Etymology
OE stēam ‘vapour’, stēman ‘emit a scent, be exhaled’, of Gmc origin.