HELM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does helm mean? 

• HELM (noun)
  The noun HELM has 2 senses:

1. steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

2. (figurative) a position of leadership

  Familiarity information: HELM used as a noun is rare.

• HELM (verb)
  The verb HELM has 1 sense:

1. be at or take the helm of

  Familiarity information: HELM used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• HELM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Steering mechanism for a vessel; a mechanical device by which a vessel is steered

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("helm" is a kind of...):

steering mechanism; steering system (a mechanism by which something is steered (especially a motor vehicle))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "helm"):

wheel (a circular helm to control the rudder of a vessel)

Holonyms ("helm" is a part of...):

motorboat; powerboat (a boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine)

sailing ship; sailing vessel (a vessel that is powered by the wind; often having several masts)

ship (a vessel that carries passengers or freight)

towboat; tower; tug; tugboat (a powerful small boat designed to pull or push larger ships)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(figurative) a position of leadership

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Context example:

the President is at the helm of the Ship of State

Hypernyms ("helm" is a kind of...):

leadership; leading (the activity of leading)

Domain usage:

figure; figure of speech; image; trope (language used in a figurative or nonliteral sense)

• HELM (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they helm    ... he / she / it helms   
Past simple: helmed   
Past participle: helmed   
-ing form: helming   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Be at or take the helm of

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context example:

helm the ship

Hypernyms (to "helm" is one way to...):

channelise; channelize; direct; guide; head; maneuver; manoeuver; manoeuvre; point; steer (direct the course; determine the direction of travelling)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

 Context examples 

“Hard up with that helm!” he commanded Oofty-Oofty, the Kanaka, who had in the meantime relieved Louis at the wheel.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

We hauled off upon the laniard of the whip-staff, and helped the man at the helm.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

If you won't tell me what you mean plain out, just say so and I'll leave the helm.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

So here I stay, and mind the helm, and write these notes.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

As an Aries, you usually prefer working alone, being in charge and at the helm, making all the decisions.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

'Twere as easy to woo the snow-dame that we shaped last winter in our castle yard. I did but ask her yesternight for her green veil, that I might bear it as a token or lambrequin upon my helm; but she flashed out at me that she kept it for a better man, and then all in a breath asked pardon for that she had spoke so rudely. Yet she would not take back the words either, nor would she grant the veil. Has it seemed to thee, Alleyne, that she loves any one?

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

That, in the fabric of knowledge, there should be any connection whatever between a woman with hysterics and a schooner carrying a weather-helm or heaving to in a gale, would have struck him as ridiculous and impossible.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

'Up with the jib, reef the tops'l halliards, helm hard alee, and man the guns!' roared the captain, as a Portuguese pirate hove in sight, with a flag black as ink flying from her foremast. 'Go in and win, my hearties!' says the captain, and a tremendous fight began. Of course the British beat—they always do.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

I let him take the helm, while the rest began thorough search, all keeping abreast, with lanterns: we left no corner unsearched.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

We reefed the fore-sail and set him, and hauled aft the fore-sheet; the helm was hard a-weather.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)