steamship: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “steamship” mean?
A ship propelled by steam engines.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ship propelled by steam engines.
A large vessel historically used for cargo or passenger transport, symbolizing the industrial revolution in maritime technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between UK and US English.
Connotations
Evokes the industrial revolution and maritime history in both cultures.
Frequency
Rare in contemporary usage, equally infrequent in both variants.
Grammar
How to Use “steamship” in a Sentence
Operate a steamshipTravel by steamshipThe steamship of the eraVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “steamship” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The steamship era transformed global trade.
- Steamship technology was groundbreaking.
American English
- Steamship travel became popular in the 1800s.
- The steamship industry declined after WWII.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In maritime industry history or vintage tourism.
Academic
In historical, engineering, or transportation studies.
Everyday
Rare; used in discussions about history or old travel methods.
Technical
In naval architecture or maritime history contexts.
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “steamship”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “steamship”
- Using 'steamship' to refer to any large ship, regardless of propulsion method.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A steamship is typically larger and used for ocean travel, while a steamboat is often smaller and used on rivers or coastal waters.
Steamships were most prevalent from the early 19th to the mid-20th centuries, peaking during the industrial revolution.
Mostly in historical, museum, or tourist contexts; modern commercial ships use diesel or nuclear propulsion.
They made transoceanic travel faster and more reliable, significantly boosting international trade and immigration.
A ship propelled by steam engines.
Steamship is usually technical/historical in register.
Steamship: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstiːmʃɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstimˌʃɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
STEAMship: Think of STEAM powering the SHIP.
Conceptual Metaphor
Steamship as a metaphor for technological progress and industrial innovation.
Practice
Quiz
What primarily powers a steamship?