Definition

1. Verb:

   • To control the direction of a moving vehicle or vessel: To guide the course of something like a car, ship, or bicycle.
   • To guide or influence the direction of something non-physical: To direct the course of events, a discussion, or a person's behavior or choices.

2. Noun:

   • A young castrated male bovine animal: Specifically, a young bull that has been castrated, raised primarily for beef.
   • A piece of advice or information: (Informal) A tip or suggestion meant to guide someone.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • You need to steer the car carefully on icy roads.
  • The CEO tried to steer the conversation away from the company's financial losses.
  • A good teacher can steer students toward success.

• Noun:

  • The farmer raised several steers for market.
  • He gave me a good steer about which stocks to buy.

Advanced Usage

• "to steer clear of (someone/something)": To deliberately avoid someone or something because they are dangerous, problematic, or undesirable.

  • I always steer clear of that neighborhood at night.
  • You should steer clear of getting involved in office gossip.

• "to steer a middle course": To choose a moderate path or policy, avoiding extremes.

  • In the debate, the politician tried to steer a middle course to appeal to both sides.

Variants and Related Words

• Steering (n): The mechanism or action of controlling direction.
  • The car's steering is very responsive.
• Steersman (n): A person who steers a ship or boat.
• Steerage (n): Historically, the part of a ship providing the cheapest accommodations for passengers; also, the act of steering.

Synonyms

• Verb: Guide, direct, pilot, navigate, control, maneuver.
• Noun (animal): Bullock, ox.
• Noun (advice): Tip, hint, pointer, suggestion.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Steer toward/away from: To guide or move in the direction of something or away from it.
  • The counselor steered her toward a career in science.
  • He steered the project away from its original, risky plan.

Related Idioms

• Steer the ship: To be in charge or to lead an organization or group.
  • As the new manager, her job is to steer the ship through these difficult times.
• Take the steering wheel: To take control of a situation.
  • When the project started to fail, she had to take the steering wheel.

Noun

1. castrated bull
2. an indication of potential opportunity
   • he got a tip on the stock market
   • a good lead for a job

Verb

1. be a guiding or motivating force or drive
   • The teacher steered the gifted students towards the more challenging courses
2. direct (oneself) somewhere
   • Steer clear of him
3. direct the course; determine the direction of travelling