helm

1
[ helm ]
/ hɛlm /

noun

Nautical.
  1. a wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.
  2. the entire steering apparatus of a ship.
  3. the angle with the fore-and-aft line made by a rudder when turned: 15-degree helm.
the place or post of control: A stern taskmaster was at the helm of the company.

verb (used with object)

to steer; direct.

Origin of helm

1
before 900; Middle English helme, Old English helma; cognate with Middle High German halme, helm handle, Old Norse hjalm rudder

OTHER WORDS FROM helm

helm·less, adjective

Definition for helm (2 of 2)

helm 2
[ helm ]
/ hɛlm /

noun

Also heaume. Also called great helm. a medieval helmet, typically formed as a single cylindrical piece with a flat or raised top, completely enclosing the head.
Archaic. a helmet.

verb (used with object)

to furnish or cover with a helmet.

Origin of helm

2
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German helm; akin to Old English helan to cover. See hull1

Example sentences from the Web for helm

British Dictionary definitions for helm (1 of 2)

helm 1
/ (hɛlm) /

noun

nautical
  1. the wheel, tiller, or entire apparatus by which a vessel is steered
  2. the position of the helm: that is, on the side of the keel opposite from that of the rudder
a position of leadership or control (esp in the phrase at the helm)

verb

(tr) to direct or steer

Derived forms of helm

helmless, adjective

Word Origin for helm

Old English helma; related to Old Norse hjalm rudder, Old High German halmo

British Dictionary definitions for helm (2 of 2)

helm 2
/ (hɛlm) /

noun

an archaic or poetic word for helmet

verb

(tr) archaic, or poetic to supply with a helmet

Word Origin for helm

Old English helm; related to helan to cover, Old Norse hjalmr, Gothic hilms, Old High German helm helmet, Sanskrit śárman protection

Idioms and Phrases with helm

helm

see at the helm.