noun Uncommon

rudder

RUH-duh

Rudder (noun) means a flat, hinged piece at the back of a boat or aircraft used to steer it. Example: “The captain turned the rudder hard to avoid the rocks.”

noun

A flat, hinged piece at the back of a boat or aircraft used to steer it.

"The captain turned the rudder hard to avoid the rocks."

"The pilot used the foot pedals to control the plane's rudder."

How to use rudder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe steering surface at the back of a boat, plane, or similar vehicle.

Common pairings

steer with the rudder rudder pedals without a rudder

Word forms

rudders plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “rudder” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The captain turned the _____ hard to avoid the rocks.

Etymology

From Old English rōþor, "oar, rudder," ultimately from a root meaning "to row" — a rudder was originally just a steering oar.

Origin: Old English

Rhymes for rudder

udder shudder Scudder

See all rhymes for rudder →

Frequently asked questions

What does “rudder” mean?

The word “rudder” means a flat, hinged piece at the back of a boat or aircraft used to steer it. In plain terms, the steering surface at the back of a boat, plane, or similar vehicle.

How do you pronounce “rudder”?

“Rudder” is pronounced RUH-duh (/ˈɹʌdɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “rudder” in a sentence?

Here is “rudder” used in a sentence: “The captain turned the rudder hard to avoid the rocks.”

What part of speech is “rudder”?

“Rudder” is a noun.

Where does the word “rudder” come from?

The word “rudder” comes from Old English. From Old English rōþor, "oar, rudder," ultimately from a root meaning "to row" — a rudder was originally just a steering oar.

Is “rudder” a common word?

“Rudder” is an uncommon word in modern English.