helmsperson

noun

helms·​per·​son ˈhelmz-ˌpər-sᵊn How to pronounce helmsperson (audio)
plural helmspersons or helmspeople ˈhelmz-ˌpē-pəl How to pronounce helmsperson (audio)
: the person at the helm : helmsman
For the greatest benefit, a marine-radar display should be at the helm, where the helmsperson can manipulate the controls and integrate the displayed data with what he or she is or isn't seeing.— Charles Husick

Examples of helmsperson in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Derived from the Greek word for pilot or helmsperson, Kubernetes is one of the fastest-growing elements of the cloud-native world. — Adrian Bridgwater, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2021 The Paris Review has been under intense pressure to find the perfect helmsperson to steer it after Stein left under a cloud of misconduct allegations. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, 5 Apr. 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of helmsperson was in 1972

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Cite this Entry

“Helmsperson.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/helmsperson. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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