helms 1 of 2

Definition of helmsnext
plural of helm

helms

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of helm
as in steers
to operate or control the course of a treacherous route for any weekend sailor just learning to helm his vessel

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of helms
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
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 Director Charukesh Sekar helms the Stone Bench Studio production. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 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 Nia DaCosta helms the film, which takes place immediately after 28 Years Later. Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026 Fleming helms a legislative study committee that has been looking into how the state conducts its elections. CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for helms
Noun
  • Analysts believe Thaksin made a deal to return and allow his party to take up the reins of government once again.
    Helen Regan, CNN Money, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Jackson stepped down as president of Rainbow/PUSH in 2023, ceding the reins to a Dallas pastor who left less than a year later.
    Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The mayor's executive order steers the assessor to adopt the International Association of Assessing Officers ratio standards, produce a mass appraisal report and modify the city's economic condition factors.
    Dana Afana, Freep.com, 30 Jan. 2026
  • The lifestyle and luxury executive, who joined Trudon in March 2025, also steers the creative strategy of its sister company Carrière Frères, a French interior fragrance brand.
    Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • As the national anthem played following their victories, Smith and Carlos expressed their anger about racial injustice in America by bowing their heads and raising their fists.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Chair-heads are sourcing used Chipotle chairs for their homes—the natural wood and iron look is pretty inoffensive, to be fair.
    Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Feb. 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
  • As attendees chatted over pizza and Jack Daniel’s, Thiel slipped in through the back door, joining the hipsters on folding chairs.
    James Duesterberg, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Their group sat on folding chairs outside in a circle where multiple fish were in a mound in the center.
    Karie Angell Luc, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Helms.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/helms. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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