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, (especially collectively) 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 ¹.

steer

¹

/ stɪə /

noun

1. a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

steer

²

/ 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. steer clear of
   to keep away from; shun

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈsteerable, adjective
• ˈsteerer, noun

Other Words From

• steera·ble adjective
• steera·bili·ty noun
• un·steera·ble 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 stēor; related to Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur, Old High German stior, Middle Dutch stēr

Origin of steer²

Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see starboard , stern ²

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

In addition to the idiom beginning with steer , also see bum steer .

Example Sentences

For some actors that means steering clear of social media or Reddit threads to guard the story’s secrets or peace of mind.

From Salon

Now we approach our fellow Americans with a certain wariness, and steer clear of a growing list of subjects, lest we inadvertently trigger an embarrassing scene.

From Salon

“Abbott” works because it’s about people whose social and economic class designation brought them to the same leaky vessel and challenged them to steer it.

From Salon

Why relinquish that much narrative and business expertise in steering stories along and bringing them to commercial and literary fruition?

From Salon

Earlier this year, Stewart popped back up on the show that catapulted his career as a part-time host on Mondays to steer it through this year's presidential election.

From Salon

Related Words

• drive
• escort
• govern
• herd
• shepherd