verb

steer

verb

To control the direction of a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, typically using a wheel, rudder, or handlebars.

"She steered the boat carefully into the narrow harbour."

"He steered the car onto the motorway slip road."

To guide or push a person, group, or conversation toward a particular outcome or direction.

"The chairman steered the meeting away from a heated argument."

"She tried to steer her son toward a more practical career choice."

noun

A castrated male of cattle, raised mainly for beef.

"The ranch kept a herd of steers for market."

A tip or recommendation about which way to act.

"Can you give me a steer on which supplier to use?"

How to Use Steer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo guide the direction of something — a vehicle, a conversation, or a person's choices.

Common mistake

Don't confuse the verb (to guide) with the unrelated noun sense meaning a castrated bull raised for beef — context makes it obvious which is meant.

Common pairings

steer a car steer clear of steer the conversation give someone a steer

steered past tense, steered past tense, steers plural, steers plural, Steers plural, steers singular, steers singular

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Can you complete this real example?

She _____ the boat carefully into the narrow harbour.

From Old English stēoran, "to steer or guide a vessel," related to the noun for a ship's rudder — the same root behind the word "stern."

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