steer

¹

[steer]

verb (used with object)

1. to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc..

   to steer a bicycle.

2. to follow or pursue (a particular course).

3. to direct the course of; guide.

   I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.

verb (used without object)

1. to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.

2. to pursue a course of action.

3. (of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.

noun

1. Informal.,  a suggestion about a course of action; tip.

   He got a good steer about finding the right job.

steer

²

[steer]

noun

plural

steers ,

plural

steer .

1. a male bovine that is castrated before sexual maturity, especially one raised for beef.

steer

³

[steer]

verb (used with or without object)

British Dialect.

1. stir.

steer

¹

/ stɪə /

verb

1. to direct the course of (a vehicle or vessel) with a steering wheel, rudder, etc

2. (tr) to guide with tuition

   his teachers steered him through his exams

3. (tr) to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, etc)

4. to pursue (a specified course)

5. (intr) (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashion

   this boat does not steer properly

6. to keep away from; shun

noun

1. information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer )

steer

²

/ stɪə /

noun

1. a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

Other Word Forms

• steerable adjective
• steerability noun
• unsteerable adjective
• steerer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of steer¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English steren, stere, stieren, Old English stēoran, stēran, stíoran, stýran, akin to stēor, stýr “steering, guidance”; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan

Origin of steer²

First recorded before 900; Middle English ster(e), Old English stēor “young bull or ox,” cognate with Dutch, German Stier, Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur

Word History and Origins

Origin of steer¹

Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see _starboard , _stern ²

Origin of steer²

Old English stēor; related to Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur, Old High German stior, Middle Dutch stēr

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid.

   She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

More idioms and phrases containing steer

• bum steer

Example Sentences

Tesla uses an interior camera, flashing screens, and sometimes requires a touch of the steering wheel to ensure drivers are at the ready when FSD is engaged.

Read more on Barron's

It’s all steering toward what is indeed looking like the league’s most important moment, as Clark said.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Since most Big Pharma companies are already pledging large investments in U.S. manufacturing, they should now be able to steer clear of heavy tariffs.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Banks also steered clear of industries that regulators deemed high risk, such as cryptocurrency, cannabis or payday lending.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Tesla introduced a “standard” Model Y and Model 3 that lack features such as wraparound ambient lighting and power-adjusted steering wheels, hoping to draw in budget-conscious buyers.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drive 
• escort 
• govern 
• herd 
• shepherd