steer

[ steer ]

/ stɪər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR steer 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.

Nearby words

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

Idioms

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

Origin of steer

before 900; Middle English steren, Old English stēoran, akin to stēor steering, guidance; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan

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

Definition for steer (2 of 3)

steer

[ 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

before 900; Middle English; Old English stēor; cognate with Dutch, German Stier, Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur

Definition for steer (3 of 3)

steer

[ 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for steer

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
It occurred to him presently that he could steer as well as propel his float with his feet.
The Border Watch|Joseph A. Altsheler
Hinpoha called again: Please come, Sahwah, we need you to steer the raft.
The Camp Fire Girls at Onoway House|Hildegard G. Frey
They weighed anchor at night, and following morning made you, by threats, promise to steer them to the island.
Dialstone Lane, Complete|W.W. Jacobs
As for me, I found it very hard to steer an even course between the competing parties.
Tom, Dick and Harry|Talbot Baines Reed
A friend of my fathers has an automobile and he let me steer it one day, oh, a long way.
Letty and the Twins|Helen Sherman Griffith

British Dictionary definitions for steer (1 of 2)

steer

/ (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 Formssteerable, 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)

steer

/ (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

Word Origin and History for steer (1 of 2)

steer

"guide the course of a vehicle," Old English steran (Mercian), stieran (West Saxon), from Proto-Germanic *steurijanan (cf. Old Norse styra, Old Frisian stiora, Dutch sturen, Old High German stiuren, German steuern "to steer," Gothic stiurjan "to establish, assert"), related to *steuro "a rudder, a steering" (cf. Old English steor "helm, rudder," German Steuer and first element in starboard), from PIE *steu-ro- (cf. Greek stauros "stake, pole"), from root *sta- "to stand" (see stet).

The notion is of a stiff, upright pillar or post used in steering. To steer clear of in the figurative sense of "to avoid completely" is recorded from 1723. Related: Steered; steering. Steering committee in the U.S. political sense is recorded from 1887.

Word Origin and History for steer (1 of 2)

steer

"young ox," Old English steor "bullock," from Proto-Germanic *steuraz (cf. Old Saxon stior, Old Norse stjorr, Swedish tjur, Danish tyr, Middle Dutch, Dutch, German stier, Gothic stiur "bull"), perhaps from PIE *steu-ro-, a root denoting "strength, sturdiness" (see taurus).

Idioms and Phrases with steer

steer

In addition to the idiom beginning with steer

steer clear of

also see:

bum steer

steer

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of steer

Definition for steer (2 of 3)

steer

noun, plural steers, (especially collectively) steer.

Origin of steer

Definition for steer (3 of 3)

steer

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

Examples from the Web for steer

British Dictionary definitions for steer (1 of 2)

steer

verb

noun

Word Origin for steer

British Dictionary definitions for steer (2 of 2)

steer

noun

Word Origin for steer

Word Origin and History for steer (1 of 2)

steer

Word Origin and History for steer (1 of 2)

steer

Idioms and Phrases with steer

steer