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 Also called great helm. 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

Derived Forms

• ˈhelmless, adjective

Other Word Forms

• helmless 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

Encouraging people to embrace a party lifestyle and let loose, XCX has spent the past year at the helm of a party girl revival.

From Los Angeles Times

After decades in law enforcement, Marshall took the helm in January 2023 of the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which includes all of the state’s prisons, jails and juvenile lockups.

From Los Angeles Times

That campaign had recently been spearheaded by director David Leitch, a former stunt performer and coordinator who has since helmed action hits like “Deadpool 2,” “Bullet Train” and “John Wick.”

From Los Angeles Times

Since she took the helm in early March, the workforce of the Education Department has been slashed in half, nearly eliminating the research unit and sharply diminishing the civil rights division.

From Los Angeles Times

After replacing Russell Martin in December, Juric oversaw six straight defeats and has just one win in his 14 league games at the helm.

From BBC