guide implies intimate knowledge of the way and of all its difficulties and dangers.
guided the scouts through the cave
lead implies showing the way and often keeping those that follow under control and in order.
led his team to victory
steer implies an ability to keep to a course and stresses the capacity of maneuvering correctly.
steered the ship through a narrow channel
pilot suggests guidance over a dangerous or complicated course.
piloted the bill through the Senate
engineer implies finding ways to avoid or overcome difficulties in achieving an end or carrying out a plan.
engineered his son's election to the governorship
Example Sentences
Verb She steered the ship through the strait. He steered his car carefully into the parking space. He steered the wheelchair through the aisles. Skillful navigators can steer by the positions of the stars. The car was steering right at us. The boat steered out to sea. He tried to steer the conversation away from his recent problems. She skillfully steered the bill through the legislature. He steered the team to another championship last year. The high recent returns on stocks have steered many investors away from bonds. See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun (1)
Middle English, from Old English stēor young ox; akin to Old High German stior young ox
Verb
Middle English steren, from Old English stīeran; akin to Old English stēor- steering oar, Greek stauros stake, cross, stylos pillar, Sanskrit sthavira, sthūra stout, thick
First Known Use
Noun (1)
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1