helm
hehlm
Helm (noun) means the wheel or tiller used to steer a ship; more broadly, the position of control or leadership. Example: “The captain took the helm as the storm approached.”
noun
1
The wheel or tiller used to steer a ship; more broadly, the position of control or leadership.
"The captain took the helm as the storm approached."
"She has been at the helm of the company since 2019."
"With the new manager at the helm, the shop began making money again."
verb
1
To steer a vessel, or to lead or direct a project or organization.
"He helmed the film's production from start to finish."
"She helmed the little fishing boat safely through the narrow harbour entrance."
"He will helm the new charity after the founder retires."
How to use helm
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally the steering wheel of a ship; figuratively, being in charge of something.
Common pairings
at the helm
take the helm
helm a project
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Word forms
- Plural
- helms
- Third person singular
- helms
- Past tense
- helmed
- Archaic forms
- helmest, helmedst, helmeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The captain took the _____ as the storm approached.
Etymology
From Old English helma, "tiller of a ship," related to a Germanic word for a handle.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for helm
See all rhymes for helm →Frequently asked questions
What does “helm” mean?
The word “helm” means the wheel or tiller used to steer a ship; more broadly, the position of control or leadership. In plain terms, literally the steering wheel of a ship; figuratively, being in charge of something.
How do you pronounce “helm”?
“Helm” is pronounced hehlm (/hɛlm/ in IPA).
How do you use “helm” in a sentence?
Here is “helm” used in a sentence: “The captain took the helm as the storm approached.”
What part of speech is “helm”?
Depending on how it is used, “helm” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “helm” come from?
The word “helm” comes from Old English. From Old English helma, "tiller of a ship," related to a Germanic word for a handle.
Is “helm” a common word?
“Helm” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “helm” have?
“Helm” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the wheel or tiller used to steer a ship; more broadly, the position of control or leadership.
What does 'at the helm' mean figuratively?
'At the helm' figuratively means being in the position of control or leadership over an organization, project, or team, drawing on the literal image of steering a ship. For example, 'she took the helm of the company' means she assumed a leading role.
What is the difference between helm and rudder?
The helm is the wheel or tiller a person uses to steer a ship, while the rudder is the actual underwater blade that turns to change the ship's direction. The helm controls the rudder rather than being the steering mechanism itself.
Can helm be used as a verb?
Yes, to helm means to steer a vessel, or figuratively to lead or direct a project or organization, as in 'she helmed the new initiative.' Both uses centre on the idea of guiding something toward a destination or goal.
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