Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bathing process involving steam: A "vapour bath" is a type of bath where a person sits or lies in a room filled with steam, causing them to sweat, often followed by a massage or a cold shower.
   • A steam room: A "vapour bath" is also the room or enclosure itself that is filled with steam for the purpose of bathing or therapeutic sweating. (Note: This is a British English term; the more common term in American English is "steam room".)

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • After his workout, he enjoyed a relaxing vapour bath.
  • The spa's facilities include a sauna and a vapour bath.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Therapeutic Context: The term can refer to a therapeutic treatment, not just a leisure activity.
  • The doctor recommended a course of vapour baths for his respiratory condition.

Variants and Related Words

• Steam bath (n): A direct synonym, more common in American English.
• Steam room (n): The most common modern term for the room itself.
• Vaporarium (n): A rare, technical term for a vapour bath or its chamber.
• Turkish bath (n): A type of public bathhouse that typically includes a vapour bath/steam room as part of its process.

Synonyms

• Steam bath: A bath in steam.
• Steam room: A room filled with steam.
• Sudatorium: A technical term for a hot-air or steam bath room.

Notes on Meaning

• The term "vapour bath" specifically emphasizes the presence of or . It is distinct from a sauna, which uses dry heat.
• As noted in the reference, it is a British English term. In most international contexts, "steam room" or "steam bath" is more widely understood.

Noun

1. you sweat in a steam room before getting a rubdown and cold shower
2. a room that can be filled with steam in which people bathe; `vapour bath' is a British term