Steeping: meaning, definitions and examples

Used primarily in the context of making tea or other beverages, where one allows the leaves or ingredients to sit in hot water to extract flavors.

• She was steeping the tea leaves for five minutes to get a stronger flavor.
• Proper steeping time is essential for a good cup of herbal tea.

Generally refers to leaving something in water or another liquid for an extended period, often to clean or soften it.

• She soaked the dirty dishes in warm soapy water.
• Let the beans soak overnight before cooking.

Commonly associated with flavoring liquids by soaking ingredients in them or introducing a particular quality or element into something else.

• They infused the vodka with fresh herbs for a unique taste.
• The coach's speech was meant to infuse the team with confidence.

Often used when something is completely submerged in a liquid or, metaphorically, when deeply engaging in an activity or environment.

• He immersed the fabric in dye to get an even color.
• She likes to immerse herself in a good book on weekends.

Steeping is generally used when talking about making tea or other drinks by soaking ingredients in liquid. It can also refer to soaking things in a liquid to extract flavor or substances.

• She is steeping the tea leaves in hot water.
• The herbs were steeping in the boiling water for an hour.

Soaking means leaving something in a liquid for a period of time to make it soft, easier to clean, or infuse it with properties of the liquid. It is often used for cleaning, cooking, or softening purposes.

• The beans are soaking in water overnight.
• She was soaking her feet after a long day's work.

Infusion involves soaking plants or other materials to extract their flavors or beneficial properties. It often refers to the process of making medicinal or aromatic preparations.

• The herbalist prepared an infusion from chamomile flowers.
• They created an infusion of garlic and olive oil for the recipe.

Immersion refers to the act of completely covering something in a liquid or another substance. It is often used in scientific, technical, or educational contexts to describe a thorough or deep involvement.

• The scientist performed the immersion of the sample in the solution.
• Language immersion programs help students learn faster.