Steampunk is a genre that envisions a world where advanced technology is powered by steam and gears, often set in the Victorian era or a similar historical period. It combines elements of 19th-century industrialization with imaginative inventions, resulting in a unique blend of retro-futuristic aesthetics. Steampunk stories may feature airships, clockwork machinery, and Victorian fashion, with an emphasis on adventure, exploration, and a sense of wonder.