steer
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc..
to steer a bicycle.
-
to follow or pursue (a particular course).
-
to direct the course of; guide.
I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.
verb (used without object)
-
to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.
-
to pursue a course of action.
-
(of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.
noun
idioms
noun
plural
steers,plural
steerverb (used with or without object)
verb
-
to direct the course of (a vehicle or vessel) with a steering wheel, rudder, etc
-
(tr) to guide with tuition
his teachers steered him through his exams
-
(tr) to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, etc)
-
to pursue (a specified course)
-
(intr) (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashion
this boat does not steer properly
-
to keep away from; shun
noun
noun
Other Word Forms
- steerability noun
- steerable adjective
- steerer noun
- unsteerable adjective
Etymology
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
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.
The light green Apollo Go logo was visible on the steering wheel.
From Barron's
BlueCruise, introduced in 2021, promises to keep a car in its lane, manage speed and slow down when approaching another vehicle, all without a driver’s hands on the steering wheel.
Higher energy costs could both weigh on Japan’s economy and boost underlying inflation, complicating the BOJ’s policy steering.
It also follows a nascent U.S. effort to steer fuel and other commercial lifelines to Cuba’s small private sector while bypassing the state.
Drumming his fingers on his steering wheel as he came to her, Chitto made an irritated sound in the back of his throat and pulled over.
From Literature
![]()
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.