Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

helmsman

American  
[helmz-muhn] / ˈhɛlmz mən /

noun

  • helmsmen
    plural
  1. a person who steers a ship; helmsperson.


helmsman British  
/ ˈhɛlmzmən /

noun

  1. the person at the helm who steers the ship; steersman

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Nouns

Etymology

Origin of helmsman

First recorded in 1615–25; helm 1 + 's 1 + -man

Vocabulary lists containing helmsman

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

When the helmsman said that it didn’t, Pericles asked, “so, where’s the difference between this and the eclipse, except that something bigger than my cape has blotted out the sun?”

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 10, 2026

Along with the helmsman, three coastguards who entered the water to carry out the rescue suffered from water ingestion, mild hypothermia, exhaustion and one had an ankle injury.

From BBC Jul. 6, 2025

But Burling, the two-time reigning America’s Cup champion helmsman, got caught in traffic in the 10-boat fleet and copped a penalty for not keeping clear of Emirates Great Britain.

From Washington Times Oct. 15, 2023

Jean-Luc Picard's Enterprise had a Black helmsman and a half-Klingon played by a Black actor; Captain Janeway's crew on the U.S.S.

From Salon Jun. 23, 2023

Both he and the helmsman returned to watching the water.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee

Hong Kong courts jailed the two helmsmen involved, as well as two Marine Department employees who failed to ensure Lamma IV had lifejackets for children.

From Barron's Dec. 2, 2025

Videos loop vivid storytelling from Navy professionals, from chefs to master helmsmen, and there are plenty of hands-on activities.

From Seattle Times Feb. 14, 2024

History doesn’t recognize inevitability or deviations: There is no true path to return to, only a course charted by helmsmen who err, commit misprisions and occasionally even display flashes of genius.

From Washington Post Sep. 2, 2022

That racing showed that Luna Rossa was quick, especially upwind in light winds, and that it was well sailed by its dual helmsmen Francesco Bruni and Spithill.

From Washington Times Mar. 10, 2021

The helmsmen swung the wheel hard, growled at himself, and steadied on the course.

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training