helm
gb/hˈɛlm/ us/hˈɛlm/
B2
English
~ 7300
vezetés, valaminek az élén, kormány, hajókormány, vezet, irányít, kormányoz, sisak, páncélsisak
NOUN
B2
1
vezetés
B1
Usage pattern:
at the helm of [something]
After the scandal, a new CEO stepped in at the helm of the company.
A botrány után új vezérigazgató állt a cég élére.
With a veteran coach at the helm, the team finally reached the playoffs.
Egy rutinos edzővel az élen a csapat végre bejutott a rájátszásba.
She has been at the helm of the charity for more than a decade.
The party won more seats under his first year at the helm.
Investors are watching closely as a younger generation takes the helm.
Learner examples
A new manager is now at the helm of the store.
Most egy új üzletvezető áll a bolt élén.
She was at the helm of the project from start to finish.
Ő állt a projekt élén az elejétől a végéig.
He took the helm after the old boss retired.
Their team did better with her at the helm.
When he left the helm, costs went up.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with the physical steering device on a ship. In modern news and business English, 'at the helm' usually refers to a person in charge of a company, team, or country, not to an actual boat or ship.
Meaning
position of control or leadership
Collocations
at the helm
|at the helm of [something]
|take the helm
|remain at the helm
|return to the helm
Synonyms
leadership (General word for being the leader; does not suggest the idea of steering or guiding like 'helm' does.)
Antonyms
subordination (Describes being in a lower position and following orders, the opposite of being in control at the helm.)
Themes
business
|politics
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The job or position of leading and controlling a company, group, or activity.
The position or role of being in control of an organization, group, or activity, especially over a period of time.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
kormány
A2
hajókormány
B2
Usage pattern:
at the helm of [a ship/boat]
The captain ordered the sailor at the helm to turn hard to starboard.
A kapitány utasította a kormánynál álló matrózt, hogy fordítsa élesen jobbra a hajót.
A sudden wave hit the yacht, forcing him to grip the helm tighter.
Egy hirtelen hullám csapódott a jachtnak, ezért még erősebben markolta a kormányt.
She stood at the helm, eyes fixed on the dark horizon.
The storm damaged the helm, leaving the vessel difficult to control.
He let his son take the helm for a few minutes in calm waters.
Learner examples
The captain stood at the helm of the ship.
A kapitány a hajó kormányánál állt.
He turned the helm to the left.
Balra fordította a kormányt.
A new sailor came to the helm.
The helm of the boat was very old.
She held the helm and felt nervous.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'helm' is just another word for 'ship'. It only means the steering device or position where someone steers, not the whole vessel.
Meaning
steering device on a ship
Collocations
ship's helm
|take the helm
|stand at the helm
|seize the helm
|behind the helm
Synonyms
wheel (Informal term often used for the steering wheel specifically; 'helm' can include the whole steering system and position.)
Antonyms
autopilot (In a nautical context, steering done automatically rather than by a person at the helm.)
Themes
transport
|travel
|technology
|transportation
Definition
The wheel or handle on a boat or ship that you use to turn and control it.
The equipment used to steer a ship or boat, especially the wheel or tiller and its controls.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to helm [a project/organization/film]
She will helm a new division focused on renewable energy.
Ő fog vezetni egy új, a megújuló energiára összpontosító részleget.
The franchise is now helmed by a younger director.
A franchise-t most egy fiatalabb rendező irányítja.
A veteran producer has been chosen to helm the project.
The show is helmed by the same team behind last year's hit drama.
He previously helmed several successful startups in the tech sector.
Learner examples
She was asked to helm the new project.
Felkérték, hogy vezesse az új projektet.
The movie was helmed by a famous director.
A filmet egy híres rendező rendezte.
A small team helmed the campaign.
He will helm the company for two years.
The project is helmed by our best manager.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'helm' as a more casual synonym for 'help' or 'manage'. In modern English, verb 'helm' is mainly used in formal, business, or media language, often in writing, and usually with objects like 'project', 'company', 'division', or 'film'.
Meaning
to lead or direct something
Collocations
helm a project
|helm a company
|helm a film
|helmed by [someone]
|helm a new initiative
Synonyms
lead (More common and general; 'helm' often sounds more formal or journalistic and can suggest guiding through change.)
Antonyms
follow (Describes taking direction from others instead of leading or helming.)
Themes
work
|business
|media
Definition
To lead and control a project, group, company, or film.
To be in charge of and direct the progress of a project, organization, or creative work.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
4
kormányoz
B1
Usage pattern:
to helm [a ship/boat/yacht]
She learned to helm the yacht during their summer trip.
A nyári útjuk során megtanulta kormányozni a jachtot.
Only experienced crew members are allowed to helm the vessel in rough seas.
Viharos tengeren csak tapasztalt legénységi tagok kormányozhatják a hajót.
He stood ready to helm the boat as they entered the narrow harbor.
The captain chose to personally helm the ship through the ice field.
New sailors must practice helming in calm waters before night navigation.
Learner examples
He will helm the boat while we fish.
Ő kormányozza majd a csónakot, amíg mi horgászunk.
She can helm the ship very well.
Nagyon jól tudja kormányozni a hajót.
I want to learn how to helm a yacht.
Only the captain may helm the vessel now.
The student tried to helm the small boat.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say 'drive a ship' instead of 'steer' or 'helm a ship'. 'Drive' is normal for cars, but for boats and ships, 'steer' or 'helm' is preferred.
Meaning
to steer a ship or boat
Collocations
helm the boat
|helm the yacht
|personally helm
|helm the vessel
|learn to helm
Synonyms
steer (General word for controlling direction; 'helm' is mostly used in nautical contexts.)
Antonyms
drift (Describes a boat moving without control or steering, the opposite of being helmed.)
Themes
transport
|travel
|skills
|transportation
Definition
To control where a ship or boat goes by using the wheel or handle.
To steer and control the direction of a ship or boat by operating its helm.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
5
sisak
A2
páncélsisak
B2
The knight lifted his helm to speak to the king.
A lovag megemelte a sisakját, hogy beszéljen a királlyal.
On the crest above the shield sits a steel helm with a dragon's head.
A pajzs fölötti címerdíszen egy sárkányfejes acélsisak látható.
His heavy helm limited his vision on the battlefield.
The museum displays a fifteenth-century helm alongside a full suit of armor.
Sunlight flashed off the polished helm as the riders approached.
Learner examples
The knight took off his helm.
A lovag levette a sisakját.
His helm was made of heavy steel.
A sisakja nehéz acélból készült.
A red crest was fixed to his helm.
She drew the helm on the knight in her picture.
The old helm is in the castle museum.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is common in modern speech. Today, 'helm' meaning 'helmet' is rare and mainly appears in historical or fantasy contexts; in normal modern English, people say 'helmet'.
Meaning
armored metal helmet
Collocations
knight's helm
|closed helm
|crest on the helm
|raised his helm
|golden helm
Synonyms
helmet (Modern general word; 'helm' sounds old-fashioned or literary and is usually used for historical armor.)
Antonyms
bareheaded (Describes not wearing anything on the head, opposite of wearing a helm.)
Themes
history
|war
|literature
|clothing
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A hard metal helmet used in old times as part of a soldier’s or knight’s armor.
A protective metal head covering worn as part of armor, especially in the Middle Ages or in heraldry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
helm
IPA
GB/hˈɛlm/
US/hˈɛlm/
Syllables & stress
helm (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (helm)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: helm
- Plural: helms
Verb
- Base: helm
- 3rd Person Singular: helms
- Present Participle: helming
- Past: helmed
Word family
Forms
helms
noun
helming
verb
helmed
verb
Core family
helmsman
noun
Expressions
at the helm
1/ˈæt ðə hˈɛlm/
idiom
in charge; leading
In the position of control or leadership of a group, company, team, or activity.
Examples
- With a new director at the helm, the company is trying to reinvent itself.
- The club has grown quickly since she came in at the helm.
- They want someone experienced at the helm of the national team.
at the helm of
2/ˈæt ðə hˈɛlm əv/
fixed phrase
leading a particular organization
Leading and controlling a particular organization, company, group, team, or project.
Examples
- She is now at the helm of one of the country's largest banks.
- A new principal is at the helm of the school this year.
- For the first time, a woman is at the helm of the national police force.
hand over the helm
4/hˈænd ˈoʊvɚ ðə hˈɛlm/
idiom
give leadership to someone else
To stop being the leader and let someone else be in charge.
Examples
- After twenty years, she is ready to hand over the helm to a successor.
- He finally handed over the helm of the family business to his daughter.
- The founder plans to hand over the helm once the merger is complete.
take the helm
3/tˈeɪk ðə hˈɛlm/
idiom
assume control or leadership
To start being the leader or person in control of a company, group, team, or activity.
Examples
- A younger executive will take the helm when the current CEO retires.
- He took the helm of the club during a difficult period.
- She is set to take the helm next month after the election.