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 called great helm. Also 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

Other Word Forms

• helmless 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

With Kang at the helm, the club is run very differently - operating in female sports markets and attracting independent sponsorships.

From BBC

Tottenham executive chairman Daniel Levy has stepped down from his role after 24 years at the helm of the club.

From BBC

McCarthy assumes the helm after sitting out his rookie season with a knee injury.

From Los Angeles Times

Expect a conservative approach on offense, even with Jayden Daniels at the helm, but the Commanders will do enough to win.

From Los Angeles Times

During his term at the helm of the national trade group, it spearheaded multiple lawsuits against the EPA over the government’s methane rules.

From Salon