helm1

[helm] /hɛlm/
noun
1.
Nautical.
  1. a wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.
  2. the entire steering apparatus of a ship.
  3. 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.
verb (used with object)
3.
to steer; direct.
Origin
before 900; Middle English helme, Old English helma; cognate with Middle High German halme, helm handle, Old Norse hjalm rudder
Related forms
helmless, adjective

helm2

[helm] /hɛlm/
noun
1.
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.
Archaic. a helmet.
verb (used with object)
3.
to furnish or cover with a helmet.
Origin
before 900; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Dutch, German helm; akin to Old English helan to cover. See hull1
Examples from the web for helm
  • The company called on its eponymous founder and present chairman to resume the helm.
  • Sit back and relax or ask to take a turn at the helm once you have your sea legs.
  • Not every information outlet has journalists at the helm.
  • Even as the firm launched an internal investigation, he vowed to stay at the helm.
  • He began to describe his own career, how he had piloted tugboats and a ferry before taking the helm of a small cargo vessel.
  • But what they have not demonstrated is that they have a visionary at or anywhere near the helm.
  • Even while recovering from treatment, he has been determined to remain at the helm.
  • The crew worked the helm and throttles actively, sometimes slowing abruptly to keep the bow from battering the heaviest waves.
  • But it would be equally irresponsible to suggest that those at the helm do not possess entrenched power.
  • He instructed the officer on watch to take manual control of the helm.
British Dictionary definitions for helm

helm1

/hɛlm/
noun
1.
(nautical)
  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
2.
a position of leadership or control (esp in the phrase at the helm)
verb
3.
(transitive) to direct or steer
Derived Forms
helmless, adjective
Word Origin
Old English helma; related to Old Norse hjalm rudder, Old High German halmo

helm2

/hɛlm/
noun
1.
an archaic or poetic word for helmet
verb
2.
(transitive) (archaic or poetic) to supply with a helmet
Word Origin
Old English helm; related to helan to cover, Old Norse hjalmr, Gothic hilms, Old High German helm helmet, Sanskrit śárman protection
Word Origin and History for helm
n.

"handle of a tiller," late 13c., from Old English helma "rudder; position of guidance, control," from Proto-Germanic *halbma- (cf. Old Norse hjalm, Old High German helmo, German Helm "handle"), from PIE *kelp- "to hold, grasp" (see helve).

"a helmet," c.1200, from Old English helm "protection, covering; crown, helmet," and perhaps also from cognate Old Norse hjalmr, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz "protective covering," from PIE *kel- "to cover, to hide" (see cell). Italian elmo, Spanish yelmo are from Germanic.

Related Abbreviations for helm

HELM

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Idioms and Phrases with helm

helm

see: at the helm