n.1. a wooden or metal lever connected to the
rudder, used for turning the
rudder from side to side as required for
steering a boat. (The
rudder is the
flat board fitted at the
rear of the boat which sits in the water.) The direction in which the tiller is moved, determines the direction of the
rudder and thus the direction of the
vessel. The tiller may be controlled by
hand via a
steering handle or ropes, as on many small
boats, or by a
wheel on the deck of the boat that is connected through a system of chains or wires, as with more modern vessels. 2. figuratively, a
position from which the direction or
course of something is determined or managed.
a
bar or
handle for turning a boat's
rudder (a
broad,
flat, movable piece of wood or metal hinged vertically at the back of a boat or
ship, used for
steering).