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.

---

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.

---

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 )

---

verb

1. (tr) to direct or steer

helm ² British  

/ hɛlm /

noun

1. an archaic or poetic word for helmet

---

verb

1. archaic (tr) to supply with a helmet

helm Idioms  

1. see at the helm.

---

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

Explanation

The person at the helm is the person in charge, and if you happen to be at sea, that person is the one steering the boat with a device called a helm, the mechanism that keeps the boat on course. When someone takes over from someone else — as when a newly elected official takes office, or when a company appoints a new head — you would say that new person has taken the helm. But if you're going to take the helm or be at the helm, you can't have an empty boat. There's got to be a group in there with you that you're taking the helm for, guiding them all.

Example Sentences

All eyes now will be on Pick, who first took the helm of the banking giant two years ago.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The 45-year-old son of Cuban immigrants will helm the network’s evening newscast while keeping a presence on streaming service NBC News Now.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

The paper's then editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov, jointly won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for his "efforts to safeguard freedom of expression" at the helm of the paper.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

Many tour operators suggest riding on the back of a motorcycle with a local guide at the helm, particularly for inexperienced riders.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

The only absent demigod was Piper, who was taking her turn at the helm with Coach Hedge, their satyr chaperone.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan