helm Hear it!

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

helm Synonyms

helm

n.

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

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.
  • put: When the compass is on the new heading, put the helm hard over to port.
  • have: He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek.
  • assume: Nissan was in serious financial trouble before Mr Ghosn assumed the helm of the firm in 1999.

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.
  • wind: The fact that the helm wind never extends farther than the bar, tends to prove the truth of the theory.
  • station: The rudder can be operated from the helm station by means of a hydraulically operated system.
  • position: The helm position is to starboard with the engine controls mounted to the right of the wheel.

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!
  • boat: A man is at the helm of the boat.
  • state: The bourgeoisie still remains at the helm of the state.
  • company: P&O Scottish Ferries managing director Terry Cairns, who has been at the helm of the company for the past ten years.
  • project: The researchers found that they were at the helm of a novel pilot project and were in fact doing the very research themselves.
  • business: Corporate America was taking over the helm of the gambling business.

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 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

Browse dictionary entries near helm

  1. helluva
  2. hello
  3. Hellman
  4. hellkite
  5. hellish
  6. hellion
  7. hellhound
  8. hellhole
  9. hellgrammite
  10. hellfire
  1. helmet
  2. Helmholtz
  3. helminth
  4. helminthiasis
  5. helminthic
  6. helminthology
  7. helmsman
  8. Heloise
  9. Helot
  10. helotism