rudder

American  

[ruhd-er] / ˈrʌd ər /

noun

1. Nautical. a vertical blade at the stern of a vessel that can be turned horizontally to change the vessel's direction when in motion.

2. Aeronautics. a movable control surface attached to a vertical stabilizer, located at the rear of an airplane and used, along with the ailerons, to turn the airplane.

3. any means of or device for governing, directing, or guiding a course, as a leader or principle.

   His ideas provided a rudder for the new company.

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rudder British  

/ ˈrʌdə /

noun

1. nautical a pivoted vertical vane that projects into the water at the stern of a vessel and can be controlled by a tiller, wheel, or other apparatus to steer the vessel

2. a vertical control surface attached to the rear of the fin used to steer an aircraft, in conjunction with the ailerons

3. anything that guides or directs

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Other Word Forms

• ruddered adjective
• rudderless adjective
• rudderlike adjective
• unruddered adjective

Etymology

Origin of rudder

First recorded before 900; Middle English rodder, rother, ruder, Old English rōther; cognate with Old Frisian rōther, Middle Dutch rōder ( Dutch roer ), Old High German ruodar ( German Ruder ); akin to row ²

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