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

Explanation

In defining steer, I would steer clear of complicated examples and just say: to steer is to control which direction one is going. Everyone who owns a car has learned to point his car in the right direction using the steering wheel. It's a bad idea to let your five year-old steer; you might end up in a sandbox. But the use of steer doesn't need to be limited to wheels and handle bars. If you have a friend torn between whether or not to go to college, you can help steer her towards the right decision. The President's job is "to steer the Ship of State."

Example Sentences

There is a tendency for people who have worked and saved up money to steer clear of the stock market when deciding what to do with their cash.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

Hence also his ambivalence toward “forward guidance”—the speeches, policy statements and other pronouncements by which Fed officials attempt to steer markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

It’s a move that feels unnecessary for a show that can still steer the conversation, not follow behind it.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

"A lot of directors are too busy trying to steer you in a direction instead of understanding what that relationship is between a director and an actor."

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Now it was her turn to feel bashful, and she tried to steer him back to his tale.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• drive
• escort
• govern
• herd
• shepherd