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
Examples of rudder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This refers to noise created by the interconnected systems of the hull, rudders, and propellers.
—
Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025
The ability to meet with Brown once a month, while remaining tethered through texts and emails, provides Johnson a rudder, a sense of relief that someone is in her corner and keeping her on track.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
That is, the interaction of hull, rudders, and propellers, which is extremely complicated and requires advanced numerical models.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
That’s completely different from our June point of view that always was our rudder for The Handmaid’s Tale.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rudder
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Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 8 Dec. 2025
The ability to meet with Brown once a month, while remaining tethered through texts and emails, provides Johnson a rudder, a sense of relief that someone is in her corner and keeping her on track.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2025
That is, the interaction of hull, rudders, and propellers, which is extremely complicated and requires advanced numerical models.
—New Atlas, 7 Dec. 2025
That’s completely different from our June point of view that always was our rudder for The Handmaid’s Tale.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 6 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rudder
Cite this Entry
“Rudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rudder. Accessed 22 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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