helm

¹

[helm]

noun

1. Nautical.

   1. a wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.

   2. the entire steering apparatus of a ship.

   3. the angle with the fore-and-aft line made by a rudder when turned.

      15-degree helm.

2. the place or post of control.

   A stern taskmaster was at the helm of the company.

verb (used with object)

1. to steer; direct.

helm

²

[helm]

noun

1. Also called great helm. Also a medieval helmet, typically formed as a single cylindrical piece with a flat or raised top, completely enclosing the head.

2. Archaic.,  a helmet.

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish or cover with a helmet.

helm

¹

/ hɛlm /

noun

1. nautical

   1. the wheel, tiller, or entire apparatus by which a vessel is steered

   2. the position of the helm: that is, on the side of the keel opposite from that of the rudder

2. a position of leadership or control (esp in the phrase at the helm )

verb

1. (tr) to direct or steer

helm

²

/ hɛlm /

noun

1. an archaic or poetic word for helmet

verb

1. archaic,  (tr) to supply with a helmet

Other Word Forms

• helmless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of helm¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English helm(e), Old English helma; cognate with Middle High German halme, helm “handle,” Old Norse hjalm “rudder”

Origin of helm²

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German helm; akin to Old English helan “to cover”; hull ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of helm¹

Old English helma; related to Old Norse hjalm rudder, Old High German halmo

Origin of helm²

Old English helm; related to helan to cover, Old Norse hjalmr, Gothic hilms, Old High German helm helmet, Sanskrit śárman protection

Idioms and Phrases

see at the helm.

Example Sentences

Amorim will complete a year at the Old Trafford helm in November but his record since arriving from Portuguese club Sporting has not been good.

From BBC

The Blues won last term's trophy by going 22 games unbeaten in Sonia Bompastor's first season at the helm - part of a domestic treble as they lifted the Women's FA Cup and League Cup too.

From BBC

There's a complex environment surrounding social media regulation too, including on X where Elon Musk has changed rules around moderation since taking the helm.

From BBC

He is now at the helm of a £564m UK empire selling a host of big and small household appliances from TVs, laptops and phones, to fridge freezers, washing machines, kettles and toasters.

From BBC

Spotify founder Daniel Ek is planning to officially step down from the role of chief executive after two decades at the helm of the music streaming giant.

From BBC