vapor
A light cloud of tiny drops or particles in the air, like mist, steam, or fumes.
A faint cloud of very small liquid or solid particles floating in the air, such as mist, steam, or fumes rising from a surface.
The gas form of a substance that is usually a liquid or a solid, especially in science.
A substance in its gaseous form, especially when it is normally a liquid or solid at room temperature, considered in scientific or technical contexts.
An old-fashioned word, usually in the form "the vapors," meaning a sudden feeling of weakness or strong emotion that makes someone feel like they might faint.
In historical or literary use, a sudden state of nervous distress, faintness, or emotional upset, often referred to in the plural as "the vapors."
- Base: vapor
- Plural: vapor, vapors
fuel vapor
1vapor form of fuel
Fuel, such as gasoline, that has turned into vapor and can burn or explode easily.
- The tank is designed to capture fuel vapor and reduce pollution.
- A small spark can ignite fuel vapor in a closed space.
- Mechanics checked for fuel vapor leaks around the engine.
vapor barrier
1material layer blocking moisture
A special layer in a building that stops water vapor from moving through walls, floors, or roofs.
- Builders installed a plastic vapor barrier behind the drywall.
- A good vapor barrier helps prevent mold inside the walls.
- The contractor recommended adding a vapor barrier under the new floor.
vapor cloud
1large mass of vapor in air
A large group or "cloud" of vapor in the air, often from a chemical or fuel leak.
- The factory leak created a toxic vapor cloud over the area.
- Emergency crews tracked the movement of the vapor cloud with sensors.
- A flammable vapor cloud can explode if it finds an ignition source.
vapor lock
1fuel flow blocked by vapor
A problem in an engine’s fuel system where fuel changes to vapor and stops the fuel from moving correctly.
- The old car stalled on the hill because of vapor lock in the fuel line.
- High temperatures can increase the risk of vapor lock in aircraft engines.
- Mechanics checked the fuel pump after repeated vapor lock issues.
vapor phase
1state where substance is vapor
The state in which a substance exists as a vapor, not as a liquid or solid.
- The reaction occurs mainly in the vapor phase at high temperatures.
- Engineers measured the concentration of the chemical in the vapor phase.
- In the vapor phase, molecules are far apart and move freely.
vapor pressure
1pressure from a vapor
The pressure made by a vapor in a closed space when it is in balance with its liquid or solid form.
- The boiling point of a liquid depends on its vapor pressure.
- Students learned how temperature affects the vapor pressure of water.
- Substances with high vapor pressure evaporate more easily.
vapor trail
1thin cloud behind airplane
A long, thin line of cloud in the sky that forms behind an airplane.
- We watched the jet's vapor trail slowly spread across the blue sky.
- Several white vapor trails crisscrossed above the city at sunset.
- The plane left a bright vapor trail that faded after a few minutes.
water vapor
1gaseous form of water
Water in gas form, usually invisible, that is in the air or in a closed space.
- Clouds form when water vapor in the air cools and condenses.
- The bathroom is full of water vapor after a hot shower.
- Greenhouse gases and water vapor help trap heat in the atmosphere.