as in reins
the place of leadership or command
with a blind person at the helm, the city has made a lot of improvements for the physically challenged
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Recent Examples of helms
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
Behind the camera, Berman and Pulcini direct the first two episodes, while Francesca Gregorini helms episodes three, six and seven, and Josephine Bornebusch takes on episodes four and five.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Working with various British helms over the years — Sir Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott and more recently Fletcher — part of Great Britain’s strength last year was the duo’s ever-solid partnership.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
For 35 years, the nonprofit that Ridgeway, the former Eagle mayor, now helms operated a senior center in the small city building on Old State Street.
—Rose Evans
updated December 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
Writer-director Benny Safdie helms this A24 drama that’s sure to be on Oscar voters’ radars.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The 63-year-old chef helms the kitchen at Vila Joya—the restaurant of a gracious boutique hotel in Portugal that shares its name—which earned one Michelin star in 1995 and a second in 1999.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
Conflict continued in China between communist and nationalist forces until the former eventually came out on top in 1949 leading to the creation of the People’s Republic of China that Xi now helms.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Allen-Miller helms The Roots Manœuvre from her own script.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Sakai Masaaki penned the scripts, Watanabe Kazutaka helms the direction, and Morii Akira, Inoue Mamoru and Shimomura Kazuya produce.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
The Oscar-winning actress also sings, writes, entertains fans with her viral cooking videos, and helms the lifestyle empire Goop — valued at around $250 million.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Rachel helms the ever-helpful front of house crew, stewarding diners in the restaurant's eclectically decorated 35 seats through unfamiliar territory like foie gras meatloaf and funky fish flake tarts.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 11 Feb. 2026
Opened in South Portland in 2012 by Saithe Guntaka, the restaurant is a family operation to its core—his mother, Hemalatha Reddy Guntaka, helms the kitchen.
—Emma Simard, Saveur, 4 Feb. 2026
Michelin Green Star chef, Peeter Pihel, helms the kitchen, crafting nutritious dishes from wild seaweed and fermented forest berries.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 1 Feb. 2026
Hairspray director Adam Shankman helms the film, which features cameos by Lisa Rinna, Matt Rogers, Rachel Bloom, and more.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Mémoires Colorées was born out of Patrick Frey’s (who currently helms Pierre Frey) close friendship with Belgian artist and paper sculptor Isabelle de Borchgrave.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
Camper helms production on the track, laying down a soulful canvas for Monét’s honeyed vocals to glide over.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 11 Feb. 2026
Behind the camera, Berman and Pulcini direct the first two episodes, while Francesca Gregorini helms episodes three, six and seven, and Josephine Bornebusch takes on episodes four and five.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026
Working with various British helms over the years — Sir Ben Ainslie, Giles Scott and more recently Fletcher — part of Great Britain’s strength last year was the duo’s ever-solid partnership.
—Andrew Rice, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
For 35 years, the nonprofit that Ridgeway, the former Eagle mayor, now helms operated a senior center in the small city building on Old State Street.
—Rose Evans
updated December 10, Idaho Statesman, 10 Dec. 2025
Writer-director Benny Safdie helms this A24 drama that’s sure to be on Oscar voters’ radars.
—Jack Smart, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
The 63-year-old chef helms the kitchen at Vila Joya—the restaurant of a gracious boutique hotel in Portugal that shares its name—which earned one Michelin star in 1995 and a second in 1999.
—Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025
Conflict continued in China between communist and nationalist forces until the former eventually came out on top in 1949 leading to the creation of the People’s Republic of China that Xi now helms.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2025
Allen-Miller helms The Roots Manœuvre from her own script.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
The designer who knows that better than anyone else is 42-year-old Glenn Martens, who creatively helms Diesel and Maison Margiela.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026
Sakai Masaaki penned the scripts, Watanabe Kazutaka helms the direction, and Morii Akira, Inoue Mamoru and Shimomura Kazuya produce.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 Feb. 2026
The Oscar-winning actress also sings, writes, entertains fans with her viral cooking videos, and helms the lifestyle empire Goop — valued at around $250 million.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026
Rachel helms the ever-helpful front of house crew, stewarding diners in the restaurant's eclectically decorated 35 seats through unfamiliar territory like foie gras meatloaf and funky fish flake tarts.
—Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 11 Feb. 2026
Opened in South Portland in 2012 by Saithe Guntaka, the restaurant is a family operation to its core—his mother, Hemalatha Reddy Guntaka, helms the kitchen.
—Emma Simard, Saveur, 4 Feb. 2026
Michelin Green Star chef, Peeter Pihel, helms the kitchen, crafting nutritious dishes from wild seaweed and fermented forest berries.
—Jen Murphy, Outside, 1 Feb. 2026
Hairspray director Adam Shankman helms the film, which features cameos by Lisa Rinna, Matt Rogers, Rachel Bloom, and more.
—Jillian Sederholm, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, Mémoires Colorées was born out of Patrick Frey’s (who currently helms Pierre Frey) close friendship with Belgian artist and paper sculptor Isabelle de Borchgrave.
—Stephanie Sporn, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helms
Noun
-
At the end of his 24-hour overtime shift, Mullen handed the reins to Battalion Chief Mario Garcia, recommending that the incoming chief scope out the fire perimeter.—
Alene Tchekmedyian,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
-
The next season, he was handed the reins to be the starting quarterback throughout the year.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Whether China can use that shifting landscape to accelerate its rise as a global power will depend in part on how well Xi’s government steers the economy.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Co-produced by Jorge Milliano, Tomy B and J-Trons, and written by Gael, Kenneth Vargas, and Derek, the song steers away from Nicky’s signature reggaetón sound, and welcomes the Puerto Rican artist into Venesti’s musical realm — one that’s powered by Latin Afrobeats and pop fusions.—
Natalia Cano,
Billboard,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Video circulating on social media shows tense moments inside the cabin as passengers were instructed to put their heads down and raise their hands while armed officers entered the plane.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Members of the mother’s group, Walker’s family and advocates, held hands and in unison bowed their heads to listen.—
Mariana Navarrete Villegas,
Hartford Courant,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The drones are always recording and equipped with high-quality zoom and thermal cameras as a Cincinnati police officer remotely pilots the drone from the department's command center.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
11 Dec. 2025
-
When Claire’s adult daughter Channing pilots the idea of going on a ski trip next year and starting her own holiday traditions, Claire completely ices her out and won’t consider it.—
Helen Carefoot,
Flow Space,
9 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
The four characters sit on chairs, facing the audience.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Loaner wheelchairs, shower chairs, and bedside step stools are available.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Helms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helms. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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