helm

UK: /ˈhɛlm/ US: /hɛlm/ ,(helm)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

helm¹ /hɛlm/   n. 

[countable]
1. Nautical, Naval Terms
   • a wheel, tiller, or apparatus by which a ship is steered.
2. at the helm, in the position of control.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

helm¹  (helm), n. 

1. Nautical, Naval Terms
   • a wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.
   • the entire steering apparatus of a ship.
   • the angle with the fore-and-aft line made by a rudder when turned:
     15-degree helm.
2. the place or post of control:
   A stern taskmaster was at the helm of the company.

v.t. 

3. to steer;
   direct.

• bef. 900; Middle English helme, Old English helma; cognate with Middle High German halme, helm handle, Old Norse hjalm rudder

helm′less, adj. 

helm²  (helm), n. 

1. Heraldry Also, heaume. Also called great helm. a medieval helmet, typically formed as a single cylindrical piece with a flat or raised top, completely enclosing the head.
2. Heraldry [Archaic.] a helmet.

v.t. 

3. Heraldry to furnish or cover with a helmet.

• bef. 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German helm; akin to Old English helan to cover. See hull¹

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

helm / hɛlm/ noun

1. the wheel, tiller, or entire apparatus by which a vessel is steered
2. the position of the helm: that is, on the side of the keel opposite from that of the rudder
3. a position of leadership or control (esp in the phrase at the helm)

verb

1. (transitive) to direct or steer

Etymology: Old English helma; related to Old Norse hjalm rudder, Old High German halmo

ˈhelmless adjective

helm / hɛlm/ noun

1. an archaic or poetic word for helmet

Etymology: Old English helm; related to helan to cover, Old Norse hjalmr, Gothic hilms, Old High German helm helmet, Sanskrit śárman protection