Skip to the word

Added 8 October 2026

steer

/stɪə/ noun

In Latin: gubernō Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about steer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

An indication of potential opportunity.
he got a tip on the stock market
Castrated bull.

verb

Direct the course; determine the direction of travelling.
Direct (oneself) somewhere.
Steer clear of him
Be a guiding or motivating force or drive.
The teacher steered the gifted students towards the more challenging courses

Origin

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”). 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.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Back to today's word