Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » steer

steer

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

Steer means to control the course of action and momentum of someone or something.

(verb)

An example of steer is when you use a wheel to direct where a car or boat will go.
An example of steer is when you guide someone to go in a certain direction.

The definition of a steer is a castrated male ox that is raised to be slaughtered for beef.

(noun)

An example of steer is the animal from which a steak is taken.

See steer in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to guide (a ship or boat) by means of a rudder
to direct the course or movement of: to steer an automobile
to oversee, direct, or guide: to steer a team to victory
to set and follow (a course)

Origin: ME steren < OE stieran, akin to Ger steuern, ON styra < IE *steur-, a support, post (> Gr stauros, ON staurr, post) < base *stā-, to stand

intransitive verb

to steer a ship, automobile, etc.
to be steered or guided: a car that steers easily
to set and follow a course or way

noun

☆ Informal a suggestion on how to proceed; tip

Related Forms:

steerable adjective

noun

a castrated male ox, esp. one raised for beef

Origin: ME ster < OE steor, akin to Ger stier < IE *steu-ro (> MPers stor, horse, draft animal) < base *stā-, to stand

See steer in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb steered, steer·ing, steers

verb, transitive

To guide by means of a device such as a rudder, paddle, or wheel.
a. To direct the course of. See Synonyms at conduct.
b. To maneuver (a person) into a place or course of action. See Synonyms at guide.

verb, intransitive