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

Dickerson and DuBois' tenure on CBS Evening News comes after Norah O'Donnell's five years at the show's helm. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025

The two units that separate the cockpit from the helm station have been used to create an area for cocktail prep, which is decked out with bar accessories, a drawer refrigerator, a sink, a worktop, and an insulated cooler. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 Dec. 2025

Verb

Skogen Kitchen, helmed by owners Joseph and Eliza Raney, is the perfect way to celebrate the end of your Custer State Park adventure—toast over Japanese A5 Wagyu, lobster steam buns, and bluefin tuna sashimi. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025

But for everyday bites, folks flock to Elektra on the pool level, a Mediterranean beach club-like restaurant (and one of Southern Living’s best new restaurants of the year) helmed by chef Jonathan McDowell. —Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 2025

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