steering gear

American

noun

the apparatus or mechanism for steering a ship, automobile, bicycle, airplane, etc.

steering gear British

noun

any mechanism used for steering a vehicle, ship, aircraft, etc

"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

Etymology

Origin of steering gear

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

According to Dr. Neville Armstrong, the Commission’s expert, fitting a watertight door to the access opening separating the tank room and the steering gear compartment would have prevented the immediate sinking of the Lamma IV.

From Barron's • Dec. 2, 2025

However, CalMac advised that a "very small amount of water" had entered part of the rear of the ship near the steering gear.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2025

The coverage replaced a steering gear with an improved one.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 8, 2022

Several yachts suffered steering gear failures, with Singapore retiring during the leg to New Zealand, while an incident on the Geraldton Western Australia yacht required the U.S.

From Reuters • Jun. 2, 2020

Her steering gear was shot away after an hour's chase, when the captain hove to and lifeboats were lowered.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII) History of the European War from Official Sources by Reynolds, Francis J. (Francis Joseph)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023