steer

¹

[steer]

verb (used with object)

1. to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc..

   to steer a bicycle.

2. to follow or pursue (a particular course).

3. to direct the course of; guide.

   I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.

verb (used without object)

1. to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.

2. to pursue a course of action.

3. (of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.

noun

1. Informal.,  a suggestion about a course of action; tip.

   He got a good steer about finding the right job.

steer

²

[steer]

noun

plural

steers ,

plural

steer .

1. a male bovine that is castrated before sexual maturity, especially one raised for beef.

steer

³

[steer]

verb (used with or without object)

British Dialect.

1. stir.

steer

¹

/ stɪə /

verb

1. to direct the course of (a vehicle or vessel) with a steering wheel, rudder, etc

2. (tr) to guide with tuition

   his teachers steered him through his exams

3. (tr) to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, etc)

4. to pursue (a specified course)

5. (intr) (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashion

   this boat does not steer properly

6. to keep away from; shun

noun

1. information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer )

steer

²

/ stɪə /

noun

1. a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

Other Word Forms

• steerable adjective
• steerability noun
• unsteerable adjective
• steerer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of steer¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English steren, stere, stieren, Old English stēoran, stēran, stíoran, stýran, akin to stēor, stýr “steering, guidance”; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan

Origin of steer²

First recorded before 900; Middle English ster(e), Old English stēor “young bull or ox,” cognate with Dutch, German Stier, Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur

Word History and Origins

Origin of steer¹

Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see _starboard , _stern ²

Origin of steer²

Old English stēor; related to Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur, Old High German stior, Middle Dutch stēr

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid.

   She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

More idioms and phrases containing steer

• bum steer

Example Sentences

With just one wicket remaining and 73 runs needed, Stokes protected tailender Jack Leach to steer his side to 362-9, their highest successful run chase in Tests. with a memorable unbeaten 135.

Read more on Barron's

Campaigners against the school plan told BBC Scotland News they believe there was a "deliberate steer" towards picking Whitegates over other options.

Read more on BBC

Adnan Hussain said he would be "stepping away" from the steering group of the movement currently operating under the name Your Party - citing a "toxic" culture particularly towards "Muslim men".

Read more on BBC

And at the same time it said the Google Play app store prevented developers from steering customers outside the store to access cheaper deals.

Read more on Barron's

One of the main points: Broadridge isn’t giving corporate clients advice or trying to steer shareholder voting, but rather providing research and voting-infrastructure services.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• drive 
• escort 
• govern 
• herd 
• shepherd