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

Speaking of the flybridge, the open-air helm station affords unmatched visibility for navigation. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 20 Jan. 2026

Chiuri left to helm Dior in 2016, and Piccioli continued to lead the house through a golden period that drew on the launch of the Rockstud pump with Chiuri and his own signature color, a shade of fuchsia called Pink PP. —CBS News, 19 Jan. 2026

Verb

Hawke’s prior Oscar nominations came for the films Boyhood (2015), Before Midnight (2014), and Before Sunset (2005) — all helmed by Linklater — as well as Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day (2002). —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Jan. 2026

Elling and other civic leaders founded the Chicago Jazz Alliance, a nonprofit helmed by EXPO Chicago founder Tony Karman, to organize a formal bid to host the event. —Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 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