oar

[ awr, ohr ]

noun

1. a long shaft with a broad blade at one end, used as a lever for rowing or otherwise propelling or steering a boat.
2. something resembling this or having a similar purpose.
3. a person who rows; oarsman.

verb (used with object)

1. to propel with or as if with oars; row.
2. to traverse or make (one's way) by, or as if by, rowing.

verb (used without object)

1. to row.
2. to move or advance as if by rowing.

oar

/ ɔː /

noun

1. a long shaft of wood for propelling a boat by rowing, having a broad blade that is dipped into and pulled against the water. Oars were also used for steering certain kinds of ancient sailing boats
2. short for oarsman
3. put one's oar in
   to interfere or interrupt

verb

1. to row or propel with or as if with oars

   the two men were oaring their way across the lake

Derived Forms

• ˈoarˌlike, adjective
• ˈoarless, adjective

Other Words From

• oarless adjective
• oarlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oar¹

before 900; Middle English ore, Old English ār; cognate with Old Norse ār

Word History and Origins

Origin of oar¹

Old English ār, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse ār

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. put in one's oar, to meddle; interfere:

   He put in his oar and was told to mind his own business.

2. rest on one's oars, to cease to make an effort; relax after exertion; stop working after success or completing a task:

   Once he became president, he was content to rest on his oars.

More idioms and phrases containing oar

see put one's oar in .

Example Sentences

“You need the Fox News hosts who can talk to an audience of zillions, but you also need the lower-level figures. You need everyone pulling on the oar.”

From Slate

He grins, mischievously: “Or, to put it another way: It’s better to pretend to hit someone over the head with an oar than it is to actually do it.”

From Los Angeles Times

As ROC and OAR, they appeared as a group in the medal tables.

From BBC

Slap the water with your paddle, oar or hand.

From Los Angeles Times

It was their influence that led him to first pick up an oar at Castle Dore Rowing Club.

From BBC