helm

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈhelm How to pronounce helm (audio)
Synonyms of helmnext
1
a
: a lever or wheel controlling the rudder of a ship for steering
broadly : the entire apparatus for steering a ship
b
: position of the helm with respect to the amidships position
turn the helm hard alee
2
: a position of control : head
A new dean is at the helm of the medical school.

helm

2 of 4

verb (1)

helmed; helming; helms

transitive verb

1
: to direct (a ship) with a lever or wheel that controls the rudder : to direct (a ship) with or as if with a helm (see helm entry 1 sense 1a) : steer
helming a schooner
2
: direct, control
The director has helmed many action movies.

helm

3 of 4

noun (2)

: helmet sense 1

helm

4 of 4

verb (2)

helmed; helming; helms

transitive verb

: to cover or furnish with a helmet

Synonyms of helm

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Noun (1)

Verb (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of helm in a Sentence

Noun (1) with a blind person at the helm, the city has made a lot of improvements for the physically challenged Verb (1) a treacherous route for any weekend sailor just learning to helm his vessel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Kasdan, who directed the 2017 film and its 2019 sequel, returns to helm Open World from a script he co-wrote with Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 19 Oct. 2026 All are under the helm of billionaire David Ellison and his new co-CEO Ynon Kreiz. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
The band is famously helmed by twin brothers, vocalist Joel Madden and guitarist/backing vocalist Benji Madden. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 That evening’s dinner would be helmed by Holmen’s own chefs, a young and talented assemblage from as far as Sicily and Piauí, in the northeast of Brazil. — Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for helm

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English helme, from Old English helma; akin to Old High German helmo tiller

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle English, from Old English

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of helm was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing helm

Rhymes for helm

See All Rhymes for helm

Browse Nearby Words

Helly's fluid
helm
Helmand
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Cite this Entry

“Helm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helm. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

helm

2 of 2 noun
1
: a lever or wheel controlling the rudder of a ship
also : the steering equipment of a ship
2
: a position of control : head
at the helm of the business
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