steer

[steer]

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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.

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

steer

[steer]

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

stir¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for steered

shepherd, govern, drive, escort, herd, control, run, lead, point, route, show, see, beacon, skipper, conduct, helm, captain, pilot

Examples from the Web for steered

Contemporary Examples of steered

Yet, by and large, candidates have steered clear of criminal justice reform this election cycle.
Why Isn’t Prison Justice on the Ballot This Tuesday?
Inimai Chettiar, Abigail Finkelman
November 1, 2014
Several stubborn ideas have steered much of the discourse around health care.
Can Fitbit Data Save Lives?
Daniela Drake
August 26, 2014
Imagine a drone skimming above the ocean waves, steered by scientists on a research ship in the distance.
Soon We’ll Be Watching Whales By Drone
Abigail Golden
August 25, 2014
As the field thundered down the backstretch, Espinoza steered his horse out wide.
Why California Chrome’s Fairy Tale Didn’t End Happily Ever After
Michael Fensom
June 8, 2014
So far, Wanderlust has steered clear of opportunities that would put them at risk of losing their independent identity.
A Most Illegal Adventure with New York City’s Wildest Underground Event Planners
Nina Strochlic
December 16, 2013

Historical Examples of steered

Steered east for four miles, when we struck Mr. Gosse's cart-track.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
We have not yet been informed with certainty what course the enemy have steered.
A Book of Autographs
Nathaniel Hawthorne
We now up helm, and steered for a vacancy among the British vessels.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
We were without a compass, and steered by the direction of the wind and sea.
Ned Myers
James Fenimore Cooper
"That's what I wanted to know," he said, as he steered the canoe over toward the cliff.
Frank Roscoe's Secret
Allen Chapman

British Dictionary definitions for steered

steer

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

steer

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 steered

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.

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 steered

steer

In addition to the idiom beginning with steer

steer clear of

also see:

bum steer