helm Hear it!

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helm1 definition

helm (helm)

noun, transitive verb

Old Poet., Archaic helmet

Etymology: ME < OE, protection, helmet, akin to Ger helm, helmet, OE helmian, to protect < IE base *el-, to cover, hide > hull, L celare, to hide

helm2 definition

helm (helm)

noun

    1. the wheel or tiller by which a ship or boat is steered
    2. the complete steering gear, including the wheel or tiller, rudder, etc.
  1. the control or leadership of an organization, government, etc.

Etymology: ME helme < OE helma, akin to Ger helm, handle < IE *(s)kelmo- < base *(s)kel-, to cut > shield, Gr skallein, to dig

transitive verb

to guide; control; steer

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
helm Synonyms

helm

n.

tiller, steering wheel, rudder, steerage, steering apparatus; see also wheel 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

helm Usage Examples

Object

  • film: Clive Barker helms the film with a good idea of what he wants.

Converse of object

  • take: Florence goes on to describe how Edgar took the helm whilst the eight kings rowed him on the river Dee.

Subject

  • director: The film is helmed by award-winning director Martin Klingberg.

Modifies a noun

  • seat: Adjustable helm seat allows driver to sit or stand in total comfort.

Modifying Another Word

  • also: All of this is competently lensed by Louis Leterrier, Besson's latest protégé who also helmed 2002's The Transporter and its 2005 sequel.

Noun used with modifier

  • weather: Surveyor says keel has been made deeper, weather helm problems!

Preposition: of

  • ship: Holidays afloat Imagine being at the helm of a tall ship!

Preposition: for

  • year: The retiring director, Brian McMaster, was at the helm for 15 consistently challenging years, and goes out on a high.

Preposition: by

  • director: The film is helmed by award-winning director Martin Klingberg.
helm usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

helm quotes

People moved in hushed and anxious hours while his life lingered on. It was thus I learned that some great man was at the helm of our country.

-Hoover, Herbert Clark

helm quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"helm." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/helm>

APA Style

helm. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/helm

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