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Steam: Definition, Pronunciation & Common Uses (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：water vapor (steam)
steam
/stiːm/
n. v.
The white mist or gas you see when water gets very hot and boils.
water vapor
➕
/ˈwɔːtər ˈveɪpər/
n. v.
The visible gas or mist produced when water is heated to its boiling point, often seen rising from hot liquids or surfaces.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'steam', related to vapor or mist, indicating heated water gas.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'steam' as 's-team' – a team of hot water molecules rising together like a team effort.
📖 Example
On cold mornings, I love watching the steam rise from my hot cup of coffee against the window.
On cold mornings, I enjoy observing the water vapor ascending from my hot coffee cup against the window.
🔗 Collocations
steam engine – A machine that uses steam power to generate motion, historically used in trains and factories.
steam bath – A bath or room where steam is used for relaxation or therapeutic purposes.
let off steam – To release pent-up energy or emotions, often through physical activity or expression.
🔄 Synonyms
vapor (n.) – A substance in the gas phase at a temperature below its critical point, often invisible unless condensed.
mist (n.) – A cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the air, similar to steam but often cooler and less dense.
fog (n.) – A thick cloud of water droplets near the ground, reducing visibility, akin to dense steam in nature.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Old English 'steam', meaning vapor. It became culturally significant during the Industrial Revolution, powering steam engines that transformed transportation and industry.
Meaning 2：emit steam (steam)
steam
/stiːm/
n. v.
To produce steam; to give off steam, often because something is very hot.
emit steam
➕
/ɪˈmɪt stiːm/
n. v.
To produce or release steam as a result of being heated, often indicating that something is very hot or actively boiling.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Be careful! The bowl of soup is still steaming hot.
Exercise caution! The soup bowl is still emitting steam and is very hot.
🔗 Collocations
steaming hot – Extremely hot, to the point of producing visible steam, often used for food or liquids.
steam up – To become covered with condensation or steam, such as windows fogging up from heat.
full steam ahead – To proceed with maximum effort or speed, originally from steam-powered ships.
🔄 Synonyms
fume (v.) – To emit smoke or vapor, often used for gases or heated substances releasing particles.
vaporize (v.) – To convert a substance into vapor, typically through heating, similar to producing steam.
smolder (v.) – To burn slowly with smoke but no flame, sometimes producing steam-like emissions.
Meaning 3：cook with steam (steam)
steam
/stiːm/
n. v.
To cook food by placing it above boiling water so that the hot steam heats it.
cook with steam
➕
/kʊk wɪð stiːm/
n. v.
To prepare food by exposing it to steam from boiling water, which heats it gently without direct contact with water, preserving texture and nutrients.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
To keep the vegetables crisp and nutritious, my mom prefers to steam them instead of frying.
To maintain the vegetables' crispiness and nutritional value, my mother chooses to cook them with steam rather than frying.
🔗 Collocations
steam vegetables – To cook vegetables using steam, a healthy method that retains vitamins and color.
steam rice – To prepare rice by steaming, often in a specialized pot or basket for even cooking.
steam cleaner – A device that uses steam to clean surfaces, leveraging heat for sanitization.
🔄 Synonyms
poach (v.) – To cook food gently in simmering liquid, similar to steaming but with direct water contact.
braise (v.) – To cook food slowly in a covered pot with a small amount of liquid, involving steam indirectly.
simmer (v.) – To cook food in liquid kept just below boiling point, often producing steam.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
steamed (adj.) – Cooked or treated with steam, often describing food prepared in this manner.
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