rudder UK /ˈɹʌdəː/US /ˈɹʌdɚ/ noun5 •An underwater vane used to steer a vessel. The rudder is controlled by means of a wheel, tiller or other apparatus (modern vessels can be controlled even with a joystick or an autopilot). •A control surface on the vertical stabilizer of a fixed-wing aircraft or an autogyro. On some craft, the entire vertical stabilizer comprises the rudder. The rudder is controlled by foot-operated control pedals. •(figurative) That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.For rhyme the rudder is of verses,/With which, like ships, they steer their courses. — 1663 •The tail of an otter.He sniffed Tarka’s hair from rudder to neck, and his nose remained at the neck. It was a strange smell, and he sniffed carefully, not wanting to touch the fur with his nostrils. — 1927 •A riddle or sieve. formsrudders
