rudder

noun

rud·​der ˈrə-dər 

1

: an underwater blade that is positioned at the stern of a boat or ship and controlled by its helm and that when turned causes the vessel's head to turn in the same direction

2

: a movable auxiliary airfoil on an airplane usually attached at the rear end that serves to control direction of flight in the horizontal plane see airplane illustration

3

: a guiding force or strategy

rudderless

ˈrə-dər-ləs 

adjective

Examples of rudder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Aviation experts were surprised that the plane did not crash after a descent so extreme that most of the rudder was ripped off the tail. — Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026

Beneath the waterline, a tail rudder modeled after a fish fin takes over. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026

The authors suggest this might have something to do with species-specific structural response to the impact, while noting that the rudder-like tail makes a handy grip for the orca to hold the prey in place. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 23 July 2026

For example, without a keel or rudder, the canoes are steered by just hand blades fighting all that force. — Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rother, from Old English rōther paddle; akin to Old English rōwan to row

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rudder

• kadir
• prader
• scudder
• shudder
• udder

Kids Definition

rudder

noun

rud·​der ˈrəd-ər 

: a flat movable piece (as of wood or metal) attached to the rear of a ship or aircraft for steering