steer Meaning & Definition
What Does Steer Mean?
Steer is used as a verb meaning To guide the course of a vessel, vehicle, aircraft etc. (by means of a device such as a rudder, paddle, or steering wheel). It is also used to mean To be directed and governed; to take a direction, or course; to obey the helm. As a noun, it means A suggestion about a course of action. As a noun, it means The castrated male of cattle, especially one raised for beef production.
Steer at a Glance
| Part of speech | verb, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //stɪə// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | lead, direct and head |
| Plural | steers |
| Verb forms | steers, steering, steered |
Steer Definition (Verb)
- To guide the course of a vessel, vehicle, aircraft etc. (by means of a device such as a rudder, paddle, or steering wheel).
The boat steered towards the iceberg.
- To be directed and governed; to take a direction, or course; to obey the helm.
The boat steers easily.
- To direct a group of animals.
- To maneuver or manipulate a person or group into a place or course of action.
Hume believes that principles of association steer the imagination of artists.
- To conduct oneself; to take or pursue a course of action.
- To direct a conversation.
- To direct or send an object into a specific place
Steer as a Noun
- A suggestion about a course of action.
- A helmsman; a pilot.
Noun
- The castrated male of cattle, especially one raised for beef production.
Verb
- To castrate (a male calf).
Synonyms of Steer
Steer synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Steer
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Steer in a Sentence
The boat steered towards the iceberg.
I steered homeward.
I find it very difficult to steer a skateboard.
When planning the boat trip, we had completely forgotten that we needed somebody to steer.
The boat steers easily.
Hume believes that principles of association steer the imagination of artists.
Word Forms & Grammar
steer (third-person singular simple present steers, present participle steering, simple past and past participle steered)
steer (plural steers)
Words That Rhyme With Steer
Origin of Steer
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English steeren, steren, stiren, sturen, steoren, from Old English stēoran, stīeran, stȳran (“to steer; guide a vessel”), from Proto-West Germanic *stiurijan (“to steer”), from Proto-Germanic *stiurijaną (“to steer”).
Origin 2: The noun is from Middle English steere, stere (“rudder”), steor, from Old English stēor, stȳr (“steering; guidance; direction”). Compare Dutch stuur, German Steuer, Icelandic stýri.
Origin 3: Inherited from Middle English steer, ster, from Old English stēor (“a young bull or cow; steer”), from Proto-Germanic *steuraz (“bull; steer”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)táwros (“wild bull; aurochs”). Cognate with Dutch stier, German Stier, Icelandic stjór, Latin taurus (“bull”), Greek ταύρος (távros). Doublet of tur and Taurus.
How Do You Say Steer?
Steer is pronounced //stɪə// and has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Steer
Is steer a verb or a noun?
Steer is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for steer?
You can replace steer with words such as lead, direct and head. See the full list of steer synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of steer?
The plural of steer is steers.
What is the past tense of steer?
The past tense of steer is steered. The present participle is steering.