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# rudder

noun (a rudder, rudders)

«rudder» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A rudder is a flat, upright blade at the back of a boat or ship that is turned to steer it left or right. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#m1)
2. On an aeroplane, the rudder is a movable flap on the upright part of the tail that helps turn the nose left or right. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#m2)
3. (figurative) Something that guides or keeps a person or plan on course is sometimes called a rudder. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science and design lessons the rudder shows how a small surface pushing against water or air can change the direction of a big vehicle. In stories about sailing, pirates or storms, a broken rudder means the boat cannot be steered and is in danger. Phrases: «turn the rudder», «take the rudder», «without a rudder» (with no direction in life).

### Examples

- The sailor pushed the rudder to turn the boat towards the harbour. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x1)
- A storm snapped the rudder, so the little ship drifted helplessly. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x2)
- In our design challenge, we added a cardboard rudder to the paper boat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x3)
- The pilot used the pedals to move the plane's rudder. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x4)
- Fish use their tails a bit like a rudder. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x5)
- After his gran died, he felt like a boat without a rudder. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x6)
- We tested whether a bigger rudder made the toy boat turn faster. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x7)
- She gave herself up to her grief, and it tossed her to and fro, as the sea tosses a ship without compass or rudder. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/#x8)

### Note

Countable noun: one rudder, two rudders. Do not confuse with «udder» (the part of a cow that gives milk) or «ruder» (more rude). The rudder steers; the sail or engine moves the boat forward; oars row it.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «rudder» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rudder/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«rudder» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/rudder.html) on Mova free.