steer

¹

[steer]

verb (used with object)

1. to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc..

   to steer a bicycle.

2. to follow or pursue (a particular course).

3. to direct the course of; guide.

   I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.

verb (used without object)

1. to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.

2. to pursue a course of action.

3. (of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.

noun

1. Informal.,  a suggestion about a course of action; tip.

   He got a good steer about finding the right job.

steer

²

[steer]

noun

plural

steers ,

plural

steer .

1. a male bovine that is castrated before sexual maturity, especially one raised for beef.

steer

³

[steer]

verb (used with or without object)

British Dialect.

1. stir.

steer

¹

/ stɪə /

verb

1. to direct the course of (a vehicle or vessel) with a steering wheel, rudder, etc

2. (tr) to guide with tuition

   his teachers steered him through his exams

3. (tr) to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, etc)

4. to pursue (a specified course)

5. (intr) (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashion

   this boat does not steer properly

6. to keep away from; shun

noun

1. information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer )

steer

²

/ stɪə /

noun

1. a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

Other Word Forms

• steerable adjective
• steerer noun
• steerability noun
• unsteerable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of steer¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English steren, stere, stieren, Old English stēoran, stēran, stíoran, stýran, akin to stēor, stýr “steering, guidance”; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan

Origin of steer²

First recorded before 900; Middle English ster(e), Old English stēor “young bull or ox,” cognate with Dutch, German Stier, Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur

Word History and Origins

Origin of steer¹

Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see _starboard , _stern ²

Origin of steer²

Old English stēor; related to Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur, Old High German stior, Middle Dutch stēr

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid.

   She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

More idioms and phrases containing steer

• bum steer

Example Sentences

“Today much of our educational system has steered away from discussions of current events and politics for fear of institutional, external, or even personal retribution,” Akhavan said.

From Los Angeles Times

A gruesome video shared online shows a car's shattered window with the bloodied, lifeless body of the lawyer slouched over the steering wheel.

From BBC

Derry and Strabane Council said the "steer" from elected members of the governance and strategic planning committee last week had been communicated to the DfC and it would be making no further comment.

From BBC

Studies have shown that wavy jet streams are leading to extreme weather events around the world, including in India recently, where the subtropical jet stream steered the westerly disturbances unusually far south into northern parts.

From BBC

This change was aimed at giving him more feel through the steering wheel.

From BBC

Related Words

• drive 
• escort 
• govern 
• herd 
• shepherd