helmsman

[ helmz-muhn ]

noun

, plural helms·men.

1. a person who steers a ship; helmsperson.

helmsman

/ ˈhɛlmzmən /

noun

1. the person at the helm who steers the ship; steersman

Other Words From

• helms·man·ship noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of helmsman¹

First recorded in 1615–25; helm ¹ + 's ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

Shortly before the Concordia crashed, Schettino can be heard on the audiotape telling the helmsman to turn again.

From The Daily Beast

“I made a decision to go off course and I gave those orders to the helmsman,” he told the court.

From The Daily Beast

The judge in the preliminary hearing, Valeria Montesarchio, denied the request to subpoena the helmsman.

From The Daily Beast

The helmsman, who did not speak English or Italian fluently, responded, “Hard to Starboard?”

From The Daily Beast

Moments later, he can be heard yelling “Hard to Port” at the helmsman when it became clear the ship was heading for disaster.

From The Daily Beast

The helmsman led me to the side of the vessel, and told me to hold my head overboard, and inhale the air.

From Project Gutenberg

Captain Worse winked at the helmsman, and declared that the old thing knew well enough where she was now that they were round.

From Project Gutenberg

But Thorgils had known what was coming, and had kept his quick eye on the helmsman of the stranger.

From Project Gutenberg

The helmsman in the boat would take hold of it when it came within his reach, and put the money into the toe of it.

From Project Gutenberg

She had eight thwarts, on which the paddlers sat, and a seat aft for the helmsman, who also used a paddle for steering.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• pilot