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Rudder: meaning, definitions and examples

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rudder

 

[ ˈrʌdər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

on a boat

A rudder is a flat piece of wood or metal at the back of a boat or ship, used for steering.

Synonyms

helm, steering gear, tiller

Examples of usage

  • The captain turned the rudder to the left to change the direction of the boat.
  • The rudder helped navigate the ship through the rough waters.
Context #2 | Noun

figurative

In a figurative sense, a rudder is something that serves to guide or direct a course of action.

Synonyms

control, direction, guidance

Examples of usage

  • Education can be seen as the rudder that steers one towards success.
  • Ethical principles act as the moral rudder for decision-making.

Translations

Translations of the word "rudder" in other languages:

🇵🇹 leme

🇮🇳 रडर

🇩🇪 Ruder

🇮🇩 kemudi

🇺🇦 руль

🇵🇱 ster

🇯🇵 舵 (かじ)

🇫🇷 gouvernail

🇪🇸 timón

🇹🇷 dümen

🇰🇷 키

🇸🇦 دفة

🇨🇿 kormidlo

🇸🇰 kormidlo

🇨🇳 舵 (duò)

🇸🇮 krmilo

🇮🇸 stýri

🇰🇿 құру

🇬🇪 საჭე

🇦🇿 sükan

🇲🇽 timón

Etymology

The word 'rudder' originated from the Old English word 'rother' which means 'steering oar'. It has been used in the English language since the 12th century to refer to the steering mechanism of a ship or boat. The rudder has been an essential part of maritime navigation for centuries, allowing sailors to control the direction of their vessels. Over time, the metaphorical use of 'rudder' to describe something that guides or directs a course of action has also become common.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,422, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.