noun
Uncommon
conn
kon
Conn (noun) means the responsibility of directing and steering a ship, especially the phrase "to have the conn.". Example: “The captain handed the conn to the first officer for the night watch.”
noun
1
The responsibility of directing and steering a ship, especially the phrase "to have the conn."
"The captain handed the conn to the first officer for the night watch."
verb
1
To direct or steer a vessel, guiding the helmsman on its course.
"The pilot conned the ship safely into the harbor."
"The pilot conned the tanker carefully through the narrow channel."
How to use conn
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA nautical term for taking charge of steering a ship — mostly heard as "have the conn" or "take the conn."
When to use it
Specialist maritime and naval vocabulary, rarely used outside that context.
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Word forms
- Plural
- conns
- Third person singular
- conns
- Past tense
- conned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The captain handed the _____ to the first officer for the night watch.
Etymology
A variant of the older word "cond," from Anglo-Norman "conduire" ("to lead"), the same root that gives us "conduct" and "conduce."
Rhymes for conn
See all rhymes for conn →Frequently asked questions
What does “conn” mean?
The word “conn” means the responsibility of directing and steering a ship, especially the phrase "to have the conn.". In plain terms, a nautical term for taking charge of steering a ship — mostly heard as "have the conn" or "take the conn.".
How do you pronounce “conn”?
“Conn” is pronounced kon (/kɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “conn” in a sentence?
Here is “conn” used in a sentence: “The captain handed the conn to the first officer for the night watch.”
What part of speech is “conn”?
Depending on how it is used, “conn” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “conn” come from?
The word “conn” comes from Anglo-Norman. A variant of the older word "cond," from Anglo-Norman "conduire" ("to lead"), the same root that gives us "conduct" and "conduce.".
Is “conn” a common word?
“Conn” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “conn” have?
“Conn” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the responsibility of directing and steering a ship, especially the phrase "to have the conn.".
