helm

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈhelm 

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

Noun (1)

• head
• chair
• forefront
• top
• rein(s)

Verb (1)

• steer
• pilot

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

Noun

The 28-point victory also marked the second-largest by which Clemson has lost at home in Dabo Swinney’s 19-year run at the helm of the program. — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2026

Since most people don't share my enthusiasm for admiring brigade controls, Rolls-Royce has come up with a way to re-engineer the helm to tuck the gubbins away until needed again. — New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026

Verb

Jamora, a Filipina director who grew up in Manila, helms the film from a script by Terence Chen (Meet Cute in Manhattan). — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

Strong, who played Jerry Rubin in the Netflix film that Sorkin also wrote and helmed, explained that his request wasn’t meant to put anyone in harm’s way. — Lynette Rice, Deadline, 3 Oct. 2026

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

Phrases Containing helm

• at the helm
• take the helm

Rhymes for helm

• elm
• realm
• overwhelm

Kids Definition

helm

1 of 2 noun

ˈhelm 

: helmet sense 1

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