steer

[ steer ]

/ stɪər /

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See synonyms for: steer / steered / steering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

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

to follow or pursue (a particular course).

to direct the course of; guide: I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.

verb (used without object)

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

to pursue a course of action.

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

noun

Informal. a suggestion about a course of action; tip: He got a good steer about finding the right job.

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Idioms about steer

steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid: She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

Origin of steer

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

OTHER WORDS FROM steer

steer·a·ble, adjectivesteer·a·bil·i·ty, nounun·steer·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby steer

steeplechase, steeplechaser, steeplechasing, steeple cup, steeplejack, steer, steerage, steerageway, steer clear of, steerer, steerhide

Other definitions for steer (2 of 3)

steer²

[ steer ]

/ stɪər /

noun, plural steers, (especially collectively) steer.

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

Origin of steer

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

Other definitions for steer (3 of 3)

steer³

[ steer ]

/ stɪər /

verb (used with or without object), noun British Dialect.

stir¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use steer in a sentence

The Mustang Mach-E does not currently have an ability to steer itself, but that is a feature that will be added in the future, according to Ford.
Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E is an important leap into the future|Dan Carney|February 12, 2021|Popular-Science
All-wheel steeringOn a typical car, only the front wheels turn when you steer.
Audi’s e-Tron GT charges up fast, but turns even faster|Stan Horaczek|February 10, 2021|Popular-Science
He was sentenced in 2019 to three months in prison for accepting payment to steer players toward agents and financial advisers, part of the fallout of the seemingly forever-ago FBI investigation into college hoops corruption.
NCAA tournament bracketology: Oklahoma State will probably make it despite its postseason ban|Patrick Stevens|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
We might well wish that covid-19 dashboards functioned as both protective barriers and a way to see the information we need to steer ourselves clear of trouble.
Covid-19 dashboards are vital, yet flawed, sources of public information|Jacqueline Wernimont|January 26, 2021|Washington Post

It’s Nash’s job to steer Irving toward more ball movement and to make sure that Durant and Harden don’t become bystanders.
With Kyrie Irving back, rookie coach Steve Nash has to figure out how to get his stars aligned|Ben Golliver|January 21, 2021|Washington Post
And Epstein continues to steer money toward universities to advance scientific research.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This is the Mexico that U.S. college students would be wise to steer clear of on spring break.
Why Mexicans Are Enraged by Obama’s Big Tuesday Meeting|Ruben Navarrette Jr.|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
A successful trend-maker might be able to steer a conversation, but virality remains extremely difficult to predict.
China’s Internet Is Freer Than You Think|Brendon Hong|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In first person, Grand Theft Auto lets you be the kind of criminal you want to be, rather than just steer one.
I Felt Like Showering After the First-Person Sex in ‘Grand Theft Auto’|Alec Kubas-Meyer|November 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I have just been the man in the middle, trying to make sure that we steer the right course.
Dan Malloy Is Progressives’ Dream Governor. So Why Isn’t He Winning?|David Freedlander|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then, with one accord, they all rose and began to steer their way around the furniture toward the hall, Goliath following.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
Knowing by experience that he would soon be up to it, he used his pole with all his might, hoping to steer clear of it.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
Well, to steer a middle course between my duty to my force and my loyalty to K. is not so simple as it might seem.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Looks like good stock, that calf does; 's if 't might make a nice steer, but 'twon't never be a cow to give milk.
Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond
With his hat he signalled his brother to steer for the General Price, and on the two rams rushed, the Queen slightly ahead.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn

British Dictionary definitions for steer (1 of 2)

steer¹

/ (stɪə) /

verb

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

(tr) to guide with tuitionhis teachers steered him through his exams

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

to pursue (a specified course)

(intr) (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashionthis boat does not steer properly

steer clear of to keep away from; shun

noun

mainly US information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer)

Derived forms of steer

steerable, adjectivesteerer, noun

Word Origin for steer

Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see starboard, stern ²

British Dictionary definitions for steer (2 of 2)

steer²

/ (stɪə) /

noun

a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

Word Origin for steer

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

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 Idioms and Phrases with steer

steer

In addition to the idiom beginning with steer

steer clear of

also see:

bum steer

steer

Idioms about steer

Origin of steer

OTHER WORDS FROM steer

Words nearby steer

Other definitions for steer (2 of 3)

Origin of steer

Other definitions for steer (3 of 3)

Words related to steer

How to use steer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for steer (1 of 2)

Derived forms of steer

Word Origin for steer

British Dictionary definitions for steer (2 of 2)

Word Origin for steer

Other Idioms and Phrases with steer