Steer

/stɪər/

Meaning & Definition

noun
a young male bovine animal, especially one that has been castrated.
The farm raised a steer for beef production.
a device used to control the direction of a vehicle.
The driver adjusted the steer to avoid the obstacle in the road.
verb
to guide the movement or direction of something, especially a vehicle.
He learned how to steer the boat through the narrow channel.
to influence or control the course of events.
She tried to steer the discussion towards more productive topics.

Etymology

Middle English steiren, from Old English styran; akin to Old Norse stýra to steer, Latin gubernare to direct

Common Phrases and Expressions

steer clear of
To avoid someone or something.
steer the ship
To take charge of a situation or organization.
steer someone in the right direction
To help someone make the correct choice.

Related Words

navigator
A person who navigates a ship or aircraft.
chauffeur
A person employed to drive a passenger vehicle.
pilot
A person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft.

Slang Meanings

To have control over a situation.
He's really steering his career in the right direction.
To influence someone's decisions.
She knows how to steer her friends towards better options.