helm
UK/hɛlm/
helm noun: the tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to steer the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel. Also the alternative form of haulm.
Noun (1)
helm (plural helms)
- The tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to steer the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.
- Ye this is both helme & stern of al together: & that which they contended right sore to impugn, but loue of the truth, wherwith in this poynte I reckened me wel fēsed, wold not suffer me to apply & yeld to their wil, thinking, quod sanctū erat veritatē preferre amicitiæ, that the truth ought to be...1563 March 30 (Gregorian calendar), John Lambert, “The History of Master Ihon Lābert otherwise Called Nycolson, wyth the Actes and Processe of King Henrye the VIII. and the Byshops agaynst Hym, by...
- Nor is this vveather rare about the Æquinoctiall; by Mariners termed the Tornadoes: and tis ſo vncertaine, that novv you ſhall haue a quiet breath and gale, and ſuddenly an vnexpected violent guſt, and ſtorme, ſo fierce, that many times the ſhips vvill feele no helme.1634, T[homas] H[erbert], “An Itinerarie of Some Yeares Trauaile, through Diuers Parts of Asia and Afrike, with the Description of the Orientall Indies, and Some Iles Adjacent. Especially the...
- The use of a helm (sense 1); also, the amount of space through which a helm is turned.
- The member of a vessel's crew in charge of steering the vessel; a helmsman or helmswoman.
- Synonyms:
- helmsperson
- Something used to control or steer; also (obsolete), a handle of a tool or weapon; a haft, a helve.
- A great axe first she gave, that two ways cut, / In which a fair well-polish'd helm was put, / That from an olive bough receiv'd his frame.1614–1615, Homer, “The Fifth Book of Homer’s Odysseys”, in Geo[rge] Chapman, transl., Homer’s Odysses. […], London: […] Rich[ard] Field [and William Jaggard], for Nathaniell Butter, published 1615...
- A position of control or leadership.
- the helm of the Commonwealth
- Biſhop [William] Laud of London is alſo povverful in his VVay, for he ſits at the Helm of the Church, and doth more than any of the tvvo Archbiſhops, or all the reſt of his tvvo and tvventy Brethren beſides.1629 January 10 (Gregorian calendar), James Howell, “XXXIII. To the Right Honourable Sir Peter Wichts, Ambassador at Constantinople.”, in Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ. Familiar Letters Domestic and Forren....
- One in the position of controlling or directing; a controller, a director, a guide.
- [Y]ou ſlander / The Helmes o'th State: vvho care for you like Fathers, / VVhen you curſe them, as Enemies.c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
Verb (1)
helm (third-person singular simple present helms, present participle helming, simple past and past participle helmed)
- To control the helm (noun sense 1) of (a marine vessel); to be in charge of steering (a vessel).
- [A] wild wave in the wild North-sea, / […] overbears the bark, / And him that helms it, […]1859, Alfred Tennyson, “Elaine”, in Idylls of the King, London: Edward Moxon & Co., […], →OCLC, page 172
- For this light he steered, and soon he saw two tall pillars of flame blazing beside each other, with a narrow space of night between them. He helmed the ship towards these, and when he came near them they were like two mighty mountains of wood burning far into heaven, […]1890, H[enry] Rider Haggard, Andrew Lang, “The Blood-red Sea”, in The World’s Desire, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., →OCLC, book I, page 41
- To direct or lead (a project, etc.); to manage (an organization).
- Ile ſtriue to be nor great nor ſmale, / To liue nor die, fate helmeth all, / VVhen I can breath no longer, then, / Heauen take all, there put Amen.1601 (date written), Iohn Marston [i.e., John Marston], What You Will, London: […] G[eorge] Eld, for Thomas Thorppe, published 1607, →OCLC, Act II, signature C3, verso
- The very ſtreame of his life, and the buſineſſe he hath helmed, muſt vppon a vvarranted neede, giue him a better proclamation.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
Noun (2)
helm (plural helms)
- A helmet.
- Their plumed helmes are wrought with beaten golde, / Their ſwords enameld, and about their neckes / Hangs maſſie chaines of golde downe to the waſte, / In euery part exceding braue and rich.c. 1587–1588 (date written), [Christopher Marlowe], Tamburlaine the Great. […] The First Part […], 2nd edition, part 1, London: […] [R. Robinson for] Richard Iones, […], published 1592, →OCLC...
- O're Shields and Helmes, and helmed heads he rode / Of Thrones and mighty Seraphim proſtrate, / That vviſh'd the Mountains novv might be again / Throvvn on them as a ſhelter from his ire.1667, John Milton, “Book VI”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished...
- A shelter for cattle or other farm animals; a hemmel, a shed.
- A heavy cloud lying on the brow of a mountain, especially one associated with a storm.
- Then ancient Skiddaw, stern and proud, / In sullen majesty replying, / Thus spake from out of his helm of cloud […]1800 November (date written; published 1806), Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “[Sibylline Leaves.] A Stranger Minstrel. [Written to Mrs. [Mary] Robinson, a Few Weeks before Her Death.]”, in The Poetical and...
- The crown or top of something.
- The upper part or cap of an alembic or retort.
- The Dragons teeth, Mercurie ſublimate, / That keepes the vvhiteneſſe, hardneſſe and the biting; / And they are gather’d, into Iaſon’s helme, / (Th’Alembeke) and then ſovv’d in Mars his field, / And, thence, ſublim’d ſo often, till they are fix’d.1610 (first performance), Ben[jamin] Jonson, The Alchemist, London: […] Thomas Snodham, for Walter Burre, and are to be sold by Iohn Stepneth, […], published 1612, →OCLC, Act II, scene i
Verb (2)
helm (third-person singular simple present helms, present participle helming, simple past and past participle helmed)
- To cover (a head) with a helmet; to provide (someone) with a helmet; to helmet.
- Oh Noble Conon, / You taught my tender Hands the Trade of VVar; / And novv again you Helm your hoary Head, / And under double vveight of Age and Arms, / Aſſert your Countries Freedom, and my Crovvn.c. 1684 – 1691 (date written), [John] Dryden, King Arthur: Or, the British Worthy. A Dramatick Opera. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], published 1691, →OCLC, Act I, page 3
- Then from the bank / He sprung, and helm'd his head.1796, Robert Southey, “Book the Seventh”, in Joan of Arc, an Epic Poem, Bristol: […] Bulgin and Rosser, for Joseph Cottle, […], and Cadell and Davies, and G. G. and J. Robinson, […], →OCLC, page 245...
- Synonyms:
- behelm
Noun (3)
helm (countable and uncountable, plural helms)
- A stalk of corn, or (uncountable) stalks of corn collectively (that is, straw), especially when bundled together or laid out straight to be used for thatching roofs.
- Synonym of bentgrass (“any of numerous reedy grass species of the genus Agrostis”)
- The Italians, and Spaniards, call it Sparto, and the ſecond ſort Albardi, The Dutch Halm. And vve in Engliſh, Helme, and Matvveede, but the people all along the Coaſts of Norfolke and Suffolke, call it Marram, and may be called Sea Ruſhes as vvell.1640, John Parkinson, “Spartum herba sive Inncus. Matt Weed or Mat Rushes.”, in Theatrum Botanicum: The Theater of Plants. Or, An Herball of a Large Extent: […], London: […] Tho[mas] Cotes, →OCLC...
- Synonyms:
- bentgrass
Verb (3)
helm (third-person singular simple present helms, present participle helming, simple past and past participle helmed)
Proper noun (1) capitalized: Helm
the Helm
- The wind that blows westward from the Pennine fells over Cumbria and is often accompanied by a line of clouds on top of the hills called the Helm Bar; it is the only named wind in the British Isles.
- Synonyms:
- Helm Wind
Proper noun (2) capitalized: Helm
Helm (countable and uncountable, plural Helms)
Also used as
helm is also the alternative form of haulm.
helm meaning in Hindi, Tamil, Marathi and Urdu
helm in Hindi
- हेल्म
helm in Tamil
- ஹெல்ம்
helm in Marathi
- हेल्म
helm in Urdu
- ہیلم
More languagesFewer languages
- helm in Bengali
- হেল্ম, হেলেম, হেলম
- helm in Telugu
- హెల్మ్
- helm in Malayalam
- ചുക്കാൻ cukkāṉ
- helm in Punjabi
- ਹੈਲਮ, ਹੈੱਲਮ
- helm in Gujarati
- હેલ્મ
- helm in Odia
- ହେଲ୍ମ, ହେଲମ୍, ହେଲମ
- helm in Nepali
- हेल्म, हेलम, हेलेम
- helm in Arabic
- دَفَّة daffa
Examples of helm in a sentence
- Fair laughs the Morn, and ſoft the Zephyr blovvs, / VVhile proudly riding o'er the azure realm / In gallant trim the gilded Veſſel goes; / Youth on the provv, and Pleaſure at the helm; […]1755–1757 (date written), [Thomas] Gray, “Ode VI. The Bard. Pindaric.”, in The Poems of Mr. Gray. […], York, Yorkshire: […] A[nn] Ward; and...
- But we hold / Thou art forsworn; and no forsworn Archbishop / Shall helm the Church.1884, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Becket, London: Macmillan and Co., →OCLC, Act I, scene iii, page 66:
- When Mattel initially approached Smith about helming this show, he was surprised.2021 July 26, Lauren Sarner, “Kevin Smith on ‘Masters of the Universe’ and fan backlash”, in New York Post:
- Helmed by chef Anton Mosimann, this is one of the most prestigious dining clubs in the world.2023 August 23, Ellie Johnson, “Top prizes on offer at raffle for Railway Benefit Fund”, in RAIL, number 990, page 11:
Synonyms of helm
Forms of helm
| Noun | |
|---|---|
| plural | helms |
| Verb | |
| third-person singular present | helms |
| present participle | helming |
| past participle | helmed |
| past | helmed |
| second-person singular present (archaic) | helmest |
| second-person singular past (archaic) | helmedst |
Origin of helm
The noun is derived from Middle English helm, helme (“tiller of a ship”), from Old English helma (“helm, tiller”), from Proto-Germanic *helmô (“handle; helm, tiller”), either from Proto-Indo-European *ḱel- (“to cover”) or from the same source as haulm and helm (“bentgrass, straw”) (see below), Proto-Indo-European *ḱélh₂-m(on)- (“reed, hollow stalk”), one form of which then developed a specialized meaning “handle” in Germanic. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * German Holm (“beam”) * Old Norse hjálm
From Middle English helm (“helmet; crown of thorns of Jesus; warrior; inn or shop sign”) [and other forms], from Old English helm (“helmet”), from Proto-West Germanic *helm, from Proto-Germanic *helmaz (“protective covering”), probably from Proto-Indo-European *ḱelmos, from the root *ḱel- (“to cover”). Doublet of heaume and related to helmet. Cognates * Gothic 𐌷𐌹𐌻𐌼𐍃 (hilms) * Old Frisian helm (West Frisian helm) * Old High German helm (Middle High German helm, modern German Helm; Italian elmo; Old French helme, modern French heaume; Spanish yelmo) * Old Norse hjalmr (Danish hjelm, Norwegian hjelm, Swedish hjälm) * Old Saxon helm (Low German Helm, Middle Dutch helm, modern Dutch helm)
From Middle English helmen, helmi (“to provide with a helmet; (figuratively) to cover; to protect”), from Old English helmian (“to cover”), ġehelmian (“to cover with a helmet; to crown”), from (ġe- (prefix with an intensifying effect, or forming nouns or verbs denoting processes or results) +) helm (“helmet”) (see further at etymology 2) + -ian (suffix forming verbs from adjectives and nouns).
Words formed from helm
Phrases with helm
Words that rhyme with helm
Questions about helm
- What does helm mean?
- Helm means the tiller (or, in a large ship, the wheel) which is used to steer the rudder of a marine vessel; also, the entire steering apparatus of a vessel.
- What is helm in Hindi?
- Helm in Hindi is हेल्म. See Helm meaning in Hindi.
- How do you use helm in a sentence?
- Fair laughs the Morn, and ſoft the Zephyr blovvs, / VVhile proudly riding o'er the azure realm / In gallant trim the gilded Veſſel goes; / Youth on the provv, and Pleaſure at the helm; […]
- What part of speech is helm?
- Helm can be a noun, a verb or a proper noun.
- How do you pronounce helm?
- Helm is pronounced /hɛlm/ (UK).
- What is the plural of helm?
- The plural of helm is helms.
Words near helm in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: helm (page history and authors); Helm (page history and authors); helm (Hindi, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Tamil, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Marathi, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Urdu, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Bengali, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Telugu, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Punjabi, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Gujarati, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Odia, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license); helm (Nepali, IndicTrans2 machine translation) (model and license). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: En-us-helm.ogg.
Cite this entry: “helm.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/helm. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.