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

This would be achieved by making the flying experience less like an airplane and more like an automobile, including replacing mechanical control linkages with fly-by-wire systems, even removing the traditional rudder pedals. —David Szondy april 25, New Atlas, 25 Apr. 2026

Just before the crash, the truck turned to the left and the airplane's rudder turned 6 degrees to the left -- indicating that both the truck and the plane attempted to swerve to avoid the collision. —Clara McMichael, ABC News, 23 Apr. 2026

Instead of relying on flaps, rudders, or elevators, the X-65 uses jets of air to change how airflow moves across its wings. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 3 Apr. 2026

Their job is to program the movable parts on an airplane’s tail and wings—the rudder, elevators, and nearly two dozen ailerons, flaperons, and spoilers—to smooth out its flight automatically when turbulence hits. —Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

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