steer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an indication of potential opportunity
    lead; hint; tip; wind; confidential information.
    • he got a tip on the stock market
    • a good lead for a job
  2. noun castrated bull
    bullock.
  3. verb direct the course; determine the direction of travelling
    maneuver; head; point; direct; guide; channelise; manoeuvre; channelize; manoeuver.
  4. verb direct (oneself) somewhere
    • Steer clear of him
  5. verb be a guiding or motivating force or drive
    guide.
    • The teacher steered the gifted students towards the more challenging courses

WordNet

Steer noun
Etymology
OE. steer, AS. steór; akin to D. & G. stier a bull, OHG. stior, Icel. stjorr, jorr, Sw. tjur, Dan. tyr, Goth. stiur, Russ. tur', Pol. tur, Ir. & Gael. tarbh, W. tarw, L. taurus, Gr. , Skr. sthra strong, stout, AS. stor large, Icel. storr, OHG. stri, stiuri. *168. Cf. Stirk, Taurine, a.
Definitions
  1. A young male of the ox kind; especially, a common ox; a castrated taurine male from two to four years old. See the Note under Ox.
Steer transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To castrate; -- said of male calves.
Steer transitive verb
Etymology
OE. steeren, steren, AS. stiéran, stran, steóran; akin to OFries. stiora, stiura, D. sturen, OD. stieren, G. steuren, OHG. stiuren to direct, support, G. steuer contribution, tax, Icel. stra to steer, govern,Sw. styra, Dan. styre, Goth. stiurjan to establish, AS. steór a rudder, a helm, and probably to Icel. staurr a pale, stake, Gr. , and perhaps ultimately to E. stand. *168. Cf. Starboard, Stern, n.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Steered ; present participle & verbal noun Steering
Definitions
  1. To direct the course of; to guide; to govern; -- applied especially to a vessel in the water.
    That with a staff his feeble steps did steer. Spenser.
Steer intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To direct a vessel in its course; to direct one's course. "No helmsman steers." Tennyson.
  2. To be directed and governed; to take a direction, or course; to obey the helm; as, the boat steers easily.
    Where the wind Veers oft, as oft [a ship] so steers, and shifts her sail. Milton.
  3. To conduct one's self; to take or pursue a course of action.
Steer noun
Etymology
AS. steór, stiór; akin to D. stuur, G. steuer, Icel. stri. *186. See Steer, v. t.
Definitions
  1. A rudder or helm. Obs. Chaucer.
Steer noun
Etymology
AS. steóra. See Steer a rudder.
Definitions
  1. A helmsman, a pilot. Obs. Chaucer.

Webster 1913