Library / English Dictionary

STEER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Castrated bull

Synonyms:

bullock; steer

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("steer" is a kind of...):

male (an animal that produces gametes (spermatozoa) that can fertilize female gametes (ova))

Bos taurus; cattle; cows; kine; oxen (domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age)

Sense 2

Meaning:

An indication of potential opportunity

Example:

a good lead for a job

Synonyms:

confidential information; hint; lead; steer; tip; wind

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("steer" is a kind of...):

counsel; counseling; counselling; direction; guidance (something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action)

Derivation:

steer (be a guiding or motivating force or drive)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

Synonyms:

channelise; channelize; direct; guide; head; maneuver; manoeuver; manoeuvre; point; steer

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "steer" is one way to...):

command; control (exercise authoritative control or power over)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "steer"):

dock (maneuver into a dock)

sheer (cause to sheer)

pull over (steer a vehicle to the side of the road)

helm (be at or take the helm of)

crab (direct (an aircraft) into a crosswind)

navigate (direct carefully and safely)

stand out (steer away from shore, of ships)

starboard (turn to the right, of helms or rudders)

conn (conduct or direct the steering of a ship or plane)

navigate; pilot (act as the navigator in a car, plane, or vessel and plan, direct, plot the path and position of the conveyance)

channel (direct the flow of)

corner; tree (force a person or an animal into a position from which he cannot escape)

park (maneuver a vehicle into a parking space)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sentence example:

The men steer the boat

Derivation:

steerage (the act of steering a ship)

steerer (the person who steers a ship)

steering (the act of steering a ship)

steering (the act of guiding or showing the way)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Direct (oneself) somewhere

Example:

Steer clear of him

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Hypernyms (to "steer" is one way to...):

command; control (exercise authoritative control or power over)

"Steer" entails doing...:

go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Be a guiding or motivating force or drive

Example:

The teacher steered the gifted students towards the more challenging courses

Synonyms:

guide; steer

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "steer" is one way to...):

direct (be in charge of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something

Derivation:

steer (an indication of potential opportunity)

steering (the act of setting and holding a course)

Credits

 Context examples: 

This is the first collision avoidance maneuver that the MAVEN spacecraft has performed at Mars to steer clear of Phobos.

(NASA Orbiter Steers Clear of Mars Moon Phobos, NASA)

Of course it was uphill work at first, and Jo made queer mistakes, but the wise Professor steered her safely into calmer waters, and the most rampant ragamuffin was conquered in the end.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

You cannot steer night and day and for ever.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It became plain to me that nobody was steering.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

She is steered mighty strangely, for she doesn't mind the hand on the wheel; changes about with every puff of wind.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

If you want to keep out of trouble, you'll steer clear of him, that's my talk.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I ate my breakfast before the sun was up; and heaving anchor, the wind being favourable, I steered the same course that I had done the day before, wherein I was directed by my pocket compass.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

Who’s to pull or steer or sail ship if he loses yer?

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

I was steering, while he and Redruth, two fresh men, were at the oars.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Second mate volunteered to steer and watch, and let men snatch a few hours' sleep.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)