samovar

noun

sam·​o·​var ˈsa-mə-ˌvär How to pronounce samovar (audio)
1
: an urn with a spigot at its base used especially in Russia to boil water for tea
2
: an urn similar to a Russian samovar with a device for heating the contents

Illustration of samovar

Illustration of samovar
  • samovar 1

Examples of samovar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At around five o’clock, the mood on the Promenade shifted; samovars were replaced with trays of chilled white wine, and the street became an Ibiza of startup nightlife. Caitlín Doherty, Harper's Magazine, 2 Jan. 2025 Today, the cabinet sits in Sturge’s living room and houses her husband’s bourbon collection. 07 of 09 A Brass Samovar From her mother-in-law, who had lived overseas for many years, Carla Aston inherited a brass samovar sourced in Iran. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2024 The oldest, who had begun his career as a waiter as long ago as 1896, brought to mind the elderly retainer Firs who fussed over the samovar in Chekhov’s play, The Cherry Orchard. Alan Philps, Town & Country, 5 July 2023 Entering a spacious room full of women in striking prints, avant-garde floral displays in every color, and a bright red samovar brewing tea in time for cocktail hour, the celebratory atmosphere was fitting. Maria Geyman, Vogue, 24 Mar. 2023 Amid the musicians are suitcases, a samovar and other keepsakes from the lives of central characters Chaim and Chaya, who meet in Halifax and go on to have a rocky romance. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2022 Ivan Shabelnyk left home with a friend on March 23 to collect pine cones so the family could light the samovar and have tea. Anchorage Daily News, 2 Oct. 2022 Old-fashioned Chekhovian naturalism is banished to create a samovar-free zone. David Benedict, Variety, 8 July 2022 Authentic Russian balalaika melodies set the mood as hostesses serve a beverage from the samovar -- the Bolshoi Golden Troika, (a mix of coffee, vodka and liqueurs) created by the house of Seagram. Chris Dwyer, CNN, 11 Aug. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Russian, from samo- self + varit' to boil

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of samovar was in 1830

Dictionary Entries Near samovar

Cite this Entry

“Samovar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/samovar. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

samovar

noun
sam·​o·​var ˈsam-ə-ˌvär How to pronounce samovar (audio)
: a container with a faucet used especially in Russia for tea

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