helm

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈhelm 

1

a

: a lever or wheel controlling the rudder of a ship for steering

broadly : the entire apparatus for steering a ship

b

: position of the helm with respect to the amidships position

turn the helm hard alee

2

: a position of control : head

a new dean is at the helm of the medical school

helm

2 of 4

verb (1)

helmed; helming; helms

transitive verb

1

: to direct (a ship) with a lever or wheel that controls the rudder : to direct (a ship) with or as if with a helm (see helm entry 1 sense 1a) : steer

helming a schooner

2

: direct, control

the director has helmed many action movies

helm

3 of 4

noun (2)

: helmet sense 1

helm

4 of 4

verb (2)

helmed; helming; helms

transitive verb

: to cover or furnish with a helmet

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• chair
• driver's seat
• head
• headship
• rein(s)

Verb (1)

• conn
• con
• navigate
• pilot
• steer

Examples of helm in a Sentence

Noun (1)

with a blind person at the helm, the city has made a lot of improvements for the physically challenged

Verb (1)

a treacherous route for any weekend sailor just learning to helm his vessel

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Snyder and her team grabbed the helm after Bose shuttered its retail stores in the middle of a global pandemic. —Parker Hall, WIRED, 6 Oct. 2024

With a new chief at LMPD's helm, Lyons said now would be a good time to put out that call. —Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 17 Sep. 2024

Verb

Watts directed the previous three Holland-starring movies, while Marc Webb helmed the two Amazing Spider-Man films that starred Andrew Garfield. —Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Oct. 2024

The label has taken North America on Adulthood, the latest project from Alex Winter, who helms and appears in the movie. —Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English helme, from Old English helma; akin to Old High German helmo tiller

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing helm

• at the helm
• take the helm

Kids Definition

helm

1 of 2 noun

ˈhelm 

: helmet sense 1

helm

2 of 2 noun

1

: a lever or wheel controlling the rudder of a ship

also : the steering equipment of a ship

2

: a position of control : head

at the helm of the business