helm Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered
  2. noun a position of leadership
    • the President is at the helm of the Ship of State
  3. verb be at or take the helm of
    • helm the ship

WordNet

Helm noun
Definitions
  1. See Haulm, straw.
Helm noun
Etymology
OE. helme, AS. helma rudder; akin to D. & G. helm, Icel. hjalm, and perh. to E. helve.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) The apparatus by which a ship is steered, comprising rudder, tiller, wheel, etc.; -- commonly used of the tiller or wheel alone.
  2. The place or office of direction or administration. "The helm of the Commonwealth." Melmoth.
  3. One at the place of direction or control; a steersman; hence, a guide; a director.
    The helms o' the State, who care for you like fathers. Shak.
  4. Cf. Helve. A helve. Obs. or Prov. Eng. Ham. Nav. Encyc.
Helm transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Helmed ; present participle & verbal noun Helming
Definitions
  1. To steer; to guide; to direct. R.
    The business he hath helmed. Shak.
    A wild wave . . . overbears the bark, And him that helms it. Tennyson.
Helm noun
Etymology
AS. See Helmet.
Definitions
  1. A helmet. Poetic
  2. A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain. Prov. Eng. Halliwell.
Helm transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To cover or furnish with a helm or helmet. Perh. used only as a past part. or part. adj.
    She that helmed was in starke stours. Chaucer.

Webster 1913