steer1
- 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.
- 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.
- Informal. a suggestion about a course of action; tip: He got a good steer about finding the right job.
- steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid: She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.
Origin of steer1
steer3
Examples from the Web for steered
Contemporary Examples
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.
Imagine a drone skimming above the ocean waves, steered by scientists on a research ship in the distance.
As the field thundered down the backstretch, Espinoza steered his horse out wide.
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 PlannersNina Strochlic
December 16, 2013
Historical Examples
Steered east for four miles, when we struck Mr. Gosse's cart-track.
Explorations in AustraliaJohn Forrest
We have not yet been informed with certainty what course the enemy have steered.
A Book of AutographsNathaniel Hawthorne
We now up helm, and steered for a vacancy among the British vessels.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
We were without a compass, and steered by the direction of the wind and sea.
Ned MyersJames Fenimore Cooper
"That's what I wanted to know," he said, as he steered the canoe over toward the cliff.
Frank Roscoe's SecretAllen Chapman
steer1
- 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
- mainly US information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer)
Word Origin
steer2
- a castrated male ox or bull; bullock
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for steered
steer
v.
"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
n.
"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
also see: