1
: an underwater blade that is positioned at the stern of a boat or ship and controlled by its helm and that when turned causes the vessel's head to turn in the same direction
2
: a movable auxiliary airfoil on an airplane usually attached at the rear end that serves to control direction of flight in the horizontal plane see airplane illustration
3
: a guiding force or strategy
Examples of rudder in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Another student pilot who was taking off had reported that the pilot of the plane had an issue with his rudder and was circling the airport but couldn’t land.
—
Abigail Hasebroock, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The plane had been headed for Tallahassee International Airport, but the pilot reported rudder issues not long after departing from Boca Raton Airport, sources told NBC News.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Thanks to their thick double coat that protects them from the cold, and their tail that functions like a rudder in the water, Labrador retrievers are also great for working in the water.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
An onboard control system can rotate each blade around its own axis in real-time for simultaneous propulsion and steering of the vessel without needing to install a rudder.
—New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rudder
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Abigail Hasebroock, Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
The plane had been headed for Tallahassee International Airport, but the pilot reported rudder issues not long after departing from Boca Raton Airport, sources told NBC News.
—Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 11 Apr. 2025
Thanks to their thick double coat that protects them from the cold, and their tail that functions like a rudder in the water, Labrador retrievers are also great for working in the water.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
An onboard control system can rotate each blade around its own axis in real-time for simultaneous propulsion and steering of the vessel without needing to install a rudder.
—New Atlas, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rudder
Cite this Entry
“Rudder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rudder. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rudder
noun
rud·der
ˈrəd-ər 
: a flat movable piece (as of wood or metal) attached to the rear of a ship or aircraft for steering
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