helm
1 of 4noun (1)
ˈhelm 
1
a
: a lever or wheel controlling the rudder of a ship for steering
broadly : the entire apparatus for steering a ship
b
: position of the helm with respect to the amidships position
turn the helm hard alee
2
: a position of control : head
a new dean is at the helm of the medical school
helm
2 of 4verb (1)
helmed; helming; helms
transitive verb
1
: to direct (a ship) with a lever or wheel that controls the rudder : to direct (a ship) with or as if with a helm (see helm entry 1 sense 1a) : steer
helming a schooner
2
: direct, control
the director has helmed many action movies
helm
3 of 4noun (2)
: helmet sense 1
helm
4 of 4verb (2)
helmed; helming; helms
transitive verb
: to cover or furnish with a helmet
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- chair
- driver's seat
- head
- headship
- rein(s)
Verb (1)
- conn
- con
- navigate
- pilot
- steer
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1) and Verb (1)
Middle English helme, from Old English helma; akin to Old High German helmo tiller
Noun (2) and Verb (2)
Middle English, from Old English
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (1)
1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb (2)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing helm
Kids Definition
helm
noun
ˈhelm
1
: a lever or wheel for steering a ship
2
: a position of control He took over the helm of the failing business.
helming
verb
as in steering
to operate or control the course of a treacherous route for any weekend sailor just learning to helm his vessel Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- steering
- piloting
- navigating
- conning
- commandeering
- hijacking
- highjacking