helm

¹ American  

[helm] / hɛlm /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to steer; direct.

helm ² American  

[helm] / hɛlm /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish or cover with a helmet.

helm ¹ British  

/ 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 )

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verb

1. (tr) to direct or steer

helm ² British  

/ hɛlm /

noun

1. an archaic or poetic word for helmet

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verb

1. archaic (tr) to supply with a helmet

helm Idioms  

1. see at the helm.

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Other Word Forms

• helmless adjective

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Tartakovsky helmed several titles in the years between, including “Star Wars: Clone Wars,” “Sym-Bionic Titan” and “Samurai Jack,” but stylistically speaking “Dexter” and “Primal” are precise opposites.

From Salon

Jayawardhana will take the helm of the 134-year-old campus — which has produced numerous scientific breakthroughs and dozens of Nobel laureates — on July 1.

From Los Angeles Times

Former Aston Villa and Ireland boss O'Neill will again be at the helm until the end of the season but he is unsure about a longer-term stay.

From Barron's

At best, the future looks increasingly complex for the beleaguered Caribbean island without Maduro at the helm in Caracas.

From BBC

But it may take more than a new man at the helm, with a new formation, to sort out the problems at Manchester United.

From BBC