steamer
steamer — noun
1. A water vessel whose engine uses heat to turn water into steam, and the force of
A water vessel whose engine uses heat to turn water into steam, and the force of that steam pushes the ship forward across rivers or seas.
The old steamer docked at the harbour with a loud blast of its whistle.
steamer + docked (subject-verb collocation)
Walid's great-grandfather worked on a steamer that carried cotton along the Nile.
worked on a steamer (preposition 'on')
Tourists lined up to board the vintage steamer for a ride around the lake.
Before diesel engines took over, steamers carried passengers and goods across the ocean.
- steamship
More formal; used for large ocean-going vessels, especially in historical writing.
- steamboat
Usually refers to smaller steam-powered boats that travel on rivers rather than oceans.
- steam vessel
Technical or formal term covering any water craft driven by steam.
用法筆記
This sense now mainly describes historical or tourist vessels; modern commercial ships do not use steam power.
常見錯誤
2. A kitchen tool whose base has many tiny openings, designed to sit above boiling
A kitchen tool whose base has many tiny openings, designed to sit above boiling water so that the hot steam rises through the food placed on top and cooks it gently.
Sana placed the sliced fish in the steamer and put the lid on tightly.
steamer + lid (parts of the tool)
You can use a bamboo steamer to make soft, fluffy buns at home.
bamboo steamer (common modifier)
Nikhil bought an electric steamer because it cooks vegetables much faster than boiling them.
Rinse the steamer basket after use so food will not get stuck in its holes.
- steamer basket
Specifically refers to the perforated metal or bamboo container, usually placed inside a pot.
- steamer insert
A type of steamer that fits inside an existing pot rather than being a standalone appliance.
用法筆記
Bamboo steamers are traditional in East Asian kitchens. Electric steamers plug into a wall outlet, while metal steam baskets sit directly in a pot of water.