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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:

"No helmsman or lookout was posted on the bridge and the second officer, who had only recently joined the vessel and lacked experience, was left alone on watch," the report said.

From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026

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

At that, they leaped overboard and instantly were changed into dolphins, all except the good helmsman.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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

Most helmsmen would’ve been satisfied with a pilot’s wheel or a tiller.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan

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