helm

¹

[ helm ]

noun

1. 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.

2. the place or post of control:

   A stern taskmaster was at the helm of the company.

verb (used with object)

1. to steer; direct.

helm

²

[ helm ]

noun

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

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish or cover with a helmet.

helm

¹

/ hɛlm /

noun

1. 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
2. a position of leadership or control (esp in the phrase at the helm )

verb

1. tr to direct or steer

helm

²

/ hɛlm /

noun

1. an archaic or poetic word for helmet

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to supply with a helmet

Derived Forms

• ˈhelmless, adjective

Other Words From

• helmless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of helm¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English helm(e), Old English helma; cognate with Middle High German halme, helm “handle,” Old Norse hjalm “rudder”

Origin of helm²

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German helm; akin to Old English helan “to cover”; hull ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of helm¹

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

Origin of helm²

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

Idioms and Phrases

see at the helm .

Example Sentences

University of Central Florida researchers helmed a study that found Florida panthers are not particularly susceptible to a potentially transmissible disease that causes cognitive decline leading to death in their prey.

From Science Daily

They have a shortlist and know with Slegers at the helm they can afford time to chose the right successor.

From BBC

Paley went on to make records there with John Wesley Harding and the Mighty Lemon Drops before helming a would-be comeback album by Lewis called “Young Blood” in 1995.

From Los Angeles Times

He considers himself a laissez-faire guy who believes in the butterfly effect, and with the career path he’s helmed, he’s been able to star in his most fulfilling role — dad.

From Los Angeles Times

On Monday, he nominated former Wisconsin Rep. Sean Duffy, known as co-host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business and a onetime reality TV star, to helm the Department of Transportation.

From Los Angeles Times