helmsman

1 of 2

noun (1)

helms·​man ˈhelmz-mən 

: the person at the helm : steersman

helmsmanship

ˈhelmz-mən-ˌship 

noun

helmsmanship

2 of 2

noun (2)

helms·​man·​ship -ˌship 

: the art or practice of steering a ship

Synonyms of helmsman

Noun (1)

• leader
• foreman
• boss
• captain
• chief
• master
• commander
• director
• manager

Examples of helmsman in a Sentence

Noun (1)

had a complaint and demanded to talk to the helmsman of this vast construction project, not some underling

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

From there, Willcox pushed the team toward a flatter structure than the traditional sailing hierarchy, in which a star helmsman and a handful of senior crew dominate decision-making. — Andrew Rice, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Director of the Italian cruise company’s crisis unit Roberto Ferrarini, cabin service director Manrico Giampedroni, first officer Ciro Ambrosio, helmsman Bin and third officer Silvia Coronica were all charged with manslaughter and negligence. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026

Corlys orders his men to thread the rocky Dragonstone pass at low tide, even relieving the helmsman of the ship’s wheel at the crucial moment. — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026

During the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Sofia’s brother, the late King Constantine II of Greece, won a gold medal as helmsman of the boat Nereus in Gulf of Naples. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 5 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1590, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for helmsman

• afghan
• bedpan
• began
• caveman
• chapin
• cyan
• deadpan
• dextran
• divan
• doorman
• fishman
• flagman

Kids Definition

helmsman

noun

helms·​man ˈhelmz-mən 

: the person at the helm