rudder

noun

rud·​der ˈrə-dər 

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

rudderless

ˈrə-dər-ləs 

adjective

Examples of rudder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After Gabriel meets a gory fate at the business end of a biplane rudder, Ethan does his poison pill move and jumps but free-falls and flails frightfully for quite a bit of time before an emergency parachute saves him. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 25 May 2025

Gabriel isn’t so lucky and dies after unfurling his parachute and cracking his head on the rudder. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 23 May 2025

The Scriptures liken the tongue to the rudder of a ship - a tiny thing that can steer a giant boat. —William Vanderbloemen, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

Today’s visitors travel on the Charles F. Mercer, a replica of a 58-foot single rudder packet boat. —Diana Lambdin Meyer, USA Today, 28 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rother, from Old English rōther paddle; akin to Old English rōwan to row

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rudder

• scudder
• shudder
• udder

Kids 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