steering committee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “steering committee” mean?
A group of people chosen to manage the general direction and important decisions of a larger project, organization, or event.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group of people chosen to manage the general direction and important decisions of a larger project, organization, or event.
A high-level committee responsible for providing strategic guidance, oversight, and governance for an initiative. It often comprises senior stakeholders who set priorities, approve major plans, allocate key resources, and resolve high-level issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical in form and usage between British and American English. No spelling or structural variations.
Connotations
Slightly more formal and corporate in American English; very common in British public sector and institutional contexts (e.g., NHS, universities).
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties within professional, academic, and governmental contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “steering committee” in a Sentence
The steering committee + [verb: approved/recommended/decided] + [object]A steering committee + [verb: was formed/has been established] + [to-infinitive clause: to oversee...]on/for + [project/organization] + steering committeeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “steering committee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The board is steering the company through the merger.
- She steered the committee towards a consensus.
American English
- The CEO steered the project to success.
- They are steering the initiative in a new direction.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable for this noun phrase.
American English
- Not applicable for this noun phrase.
adjective
British English
- The steering group's report was published yesterday.
- He has a key steering role on the panel.
American English
- The steering mechanism for the policy is complex.
- She provided steering guidance to the team.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A steering committee of senior managers approves the annual budget and strategic milestones for the new product launch.
Academic
The research consortium is governed by an international steering committee of leading professors.
Everyday
The community festival has a small steering committee that decides on the main events and themes.
Technical
The software standardisation effort is directed by a joint industry steering committee.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “steering committee”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “steering committee”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “steering committee”
- Using it for small, operational teams (incorrect: 'We formed a steering committee to design the website').
- Misspelling as 'stearing committee'.
- Treating it as a plural noun (The steering committee are... – acceptable in British English, but 'is' is more common in formal writing).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A steering committee provides high-level strategic direction and governance. A working group is a hands-on team that executes specific tasks under that direction.
It is possible but less common. The term carries a formal, institutional connotation. For a small community event, 'organising committee' or 'planning group' might be more natural.
Yes, typically. The chair often sets the agenda, leads discussions, and has significant influence in guiding the committee's decisions and representing it externally.
They are usually relatively small, often between 5 and 12 members, to facilitate efficient decision-making. Large committees become unwieldy for strategic steering.
A group of people chosen to manage the general direction and important decisions of a larger project, organization, or event.
Steering committee: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪər.ɪŋ kəˌmɪt.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪr.ɪŋ kəˌmɪt̬.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to steer the ship (related conceptual metaphor)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ship's WHEEL (for steering) with several important people's hands on it, all deciding which way to turn. That's a STEERING COMMITTEE.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATION/PROJECT IS A VEHICLE/SHIP. The committee is the DRIVER/HELMSMAN who steers it.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a steering committee?