Agency Dictionary
helm
nounPronunciation: /helm/
In Portuguese: leme
History & CivilizationsWhat does “helm” mean?
The wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered. Figuratively, the position of control or leadership.
Etymology
From Middle English helme, "tiller of a ship", from Old English helma, "helm, tiller". It is a Germanic word whose older meaning seems to have been "handle"; German Holm, "beam", is related. It is a different word from the old helm that means helmet. From the bar or wheel that steers a ship, the word passed to the place of command, as in the phrase "at the helm".
Usage note
Mostly met in the phrases "at the helm" and "to take the helm", said of whoever leads an organization. As a verb, to helm a project or a film is journalistic.
Synonyms
- tiller
- wheel
- steering wheel
- command
- controls
Often confused with
- rudder
- The rudder is the blade in the water that turns the ship; the helm is the wheel or tiller that moves the rudder.
Word family
- helmsman
- helmsmanship
- helmless
Rhymes with
- elm
- realm
- whelm
- overwhelm
Usage examples
Some hours later, he locked himself in the bridge and put his hands on the helm as he awaited his destiny.
Writing.1 - The Titanic Theory
Concept
Source editions
Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.
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