steer

¹ American  

[steer] / stɪər /

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.

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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.

idioms

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

   She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

steer ² American  

[steer] / stɪər /

noun

plural

steers,

plural

steer

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

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steer ³ American  

[steer] / stɪər /

verb (used with or without object)

British Dialect.

1. stir.

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steer ¹ British  

/ 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

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noun

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

steer ² British  

/ stɪə /

noun

1. a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

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steer More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing steer

• bum steer

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Once more she went to her closet, but this time she came out with a plastic steering wheel.

From Literature

Soon they’ll be steered by algorithms designed to keep you inside the app for longer.

From The Wall Street Journal

Thanks to this design, the metasurface generates third harmonic light, meaning the outgoing light has three times the frequency of the incoming beam, while also steering that light in specific directions.

From Science Daily

"The actuator is composed of a motor controller and reduction gears. It is very similar to an electric power steering system," says Se Uk Oh, vice president leading the robotics business division at Hyundai Mobis.

From BBC

Kaufmann stepped down after steering the company through an onslaught of litigation related to the opioid crisis.

From Barron's

Related Words

• drive
• escort
• govern
• herd
• shepherd