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View synonyms for steer

steer

1

[ steer ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to guide the course of (something in motion) by a rudder, helm, wheel, etc.:

    to steer a bicycle.

  2. to follow or pursue (a particular course).
  3. to direct the course of; guide:

    I can steer you to the best restaurant in town.



verb (used without object)

  1. to direct the course of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, or the like, by the use of a rudder or other means.
  2. to pursue a course of action.
  3. (of a vessel, vehicle, airplane, etc.) to be steered or guided in a particular direction or manner.

noun

  1. Informal. a suggestion about a course of action; tip:

    He got a good steer about finding the right job.

steer

2

[ steer ]

noun

, plural steers, (especially collectively) steer.
  1. a male bovine that is castrated before sexual maturity, especially one raised for beef.

steer

3

[ steer ]

verb (used with or without object)

, British Dialect.

steer

1

/ stɪə /

verb

  1. to direct the course of (a vehicle or vessel) with a steering wheel, rudder, etc
  2. tr to guide with tuition

    his teachers steered him through his exams

  3. tr to direct the movements or course of (a person, conversation, etc)
  4. to pursue (a specified course)
  5. intr (of a vessel, vehicle, etc) to admit of being guided in a specified fashion

    this boat does not steer properly

  6. steer clear of
    steer clear of to keep away from; shun


noun

  1. information; guidance (esp in the phrase a bum steer )

steer

2

/ stɪə /

noun

  1. a castrated male ox or bull; bullock

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Derived Forms

  • ˈsteerer, noun
  • ˈsteerable, adjective

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Other Words From

  • steera·ble adjective
  • steera·bili·ty noun
  • un·steera·ble adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of steer1

First recorded before 900; Middle English steren, stere, stieren, Old English stēoran, stēran, stíoran, stýran, akin to stēor, stýr “steering, guidance”; cognate with German steuern, Old Norse stȳra, Gothic stiurjan

Origin of steer2

First recorded before 900; Middle English ster(e), Old English stēor “young bull or ox,” cognate with Dutch, German Stier, Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur

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Word History and Origins

Origin of steer1

Old English stieran; related to Old Frisian stiūra, Old Norse stӯra, German stevern; see starboard , stern ²

Origin of steer2

Old English stēor; related to Old Norse stjōrr, Gothic stiur, Old High German stior, Middle Dutch stēr

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Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. steer clear of, to stay away from purposely; avoid:

    She steered clear of any deep emotional involvements.

More idioms and phrases containing steer

In addition to the idiom beginning with steer , also see bum steer .

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Example Sentences

The Mustang Mach-E does not currently have an ability to steer itself, but that is a feature that will be added in the future, according to Ford.

All-wheel steeringOn a typical car, only the front wheels turn when you steer.

He was sentenced in 2019 to three months in prison for accepting payment to steer players toward agents and financial advisers, part of the fallout of the seemingly forever-ago FBI investigation into college hoops corruption.

We might well wish that covid-19 dashboards functioned as both protective barriers and a way to see the information we need to steer ourselves clear of trouble.

It’s Nash’s job to steer Irving toward more ball movement and to make sure that Durant and Harden don’t become bystanders.

And Epstein continues to steer money toward universities to advance scientific research.

This is the Mexico that U.S. college students would be wise to steer clear of on spring break.

A successful trend-maker might be able to steer a conversation, but virality remains extremely difficult to predict.

In first person, Grand Theft Auto lets you be the kind of criminal you want to be, rather than just steer one.

I have just been the man in the middle, trying to make sure that we steer the right course.

Then, with one accord, they all rose and began to steer their way around the furniture toward the hall, Goliath following.

Knowing by experience that he would soon be up to it, he used his pole with all his might, hoping to steer clear of it.

Well, to steer a middle course between my duty to my force and my loyalty to K. is not so simple as it might seem.

Looks like good stock, that calf does; 's if 't might make a nice steer, but 'twon't never be a cow to give milk.

With his hat he signalled his brother to steer for the General Price, and on the two rams rushed, the Queen slightly ahead.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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