paddle

¹

[ pad-l ]

noun

1. a short, flat bladed oar for propelling and steering a canoe or small boat, usually held by both hands and moved more or less through a vertical arc.
2. any of various similar implements used for mixing, stirring, or beating.
3. any of various similar but smaller implements with a short handle for holding in one hand and a wide or rounded blade, used for a racket in table tennis, paddle tennis, etc.
4. such an implement or a similarly shaped makeshift one, used to spank or beat someone.
5. an implement used for beating garments while washing them in running water, as in a stream.
6. Also called float, floatboard. a blade of a paddle wheel.
7. paddle wheel.
8. any of the blades by which a water wheel is turned.
9. a flipper or limb of a penguin, turtle, whale, etc.
10. an act of paddling.
11. Also pat·tle []. British Dialect. a small spade with a long handle, used to dig up thistles.
12. (in a gate of a lock or sluice) a panel that slides to permit the passage of water.

verb (used without object)

, pad·dled, pad·dling.

1. to propel or travel in a canoe or the like by using a paddle.
2. to row lightly or gently with oars.
3. to move by means of paddle wheels, as a steamer.

verb (used with object)

, pad·dled, pad·dling.

1. to propel with a paddle:

   to paddle a canoe.

2. to spank or beat with or as with a paddle.
3. to stir, mix, or beat with or as with a paddle
4. to convey by paddling, as a canoe.
5. to hit (a table-tennis ball or the like) with a paddle.

paddle

²

[ pad-l ]

verb (used without object)

, pad·dled, pad·dling.

1. to move the feet or hands playfully in shallow water; dabble.
2. to toy with the fingers.
3. to toddle.

paddle

¹

/ ˈpædəl /

noun

1. a short light oar with a flat blade at one or both ends, used without a rowlock to propel a canoe or small boat
2. Also calledfloat a blade of a water wheel or paddle wheel
3. a period of paddling

   to go for a paddle upstream

4. 1. a paddle wheel used to propel a boat
   2. ( as modifier )

      a paddle steamer

5. the sliding panel in a lock or sluicegate that regulates the level or flow of water
6. any of various instruments shaped like a paddle and used for beating, mixing, etc
7. a table-tennis bat
8. the flattened limb of a seal, turtle, or similar aquatic animal, specialized for swimming

verb

1. to propel (a canoe, small boat, etc) with a paddle
2. paddle one's own canoe
   1. to be self-sufficient
   2. to mind one's own business
3. tr to convey by paddling

   we paddled him to the shore

4. tr to stir or mix with or as if with a paddle
5. to row (a boat) steadily, esp (of a racing crew) to row firmly but not at full pressure
6. intr (of steamships) to be propelled by paddle wheels
7. intr to swim with short rapid strokes, like a dog
8. informal.
   tr to spank

paddle

²

/ ˈpædəl /

verb

1. to walk or play barefoot in shallow water, mud, etc
2. to dabble the fingers, hands, or feet in water
3. to walk unsteadily, like a baby
4. archaic.
   tr to fondle with the fingers

noun

1. the act of paddling in water

Derived Forms

• ˈpaddler, noun
• ˈpaddler, noun

Other Words From

• paddler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paddle¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English noun padell “long-handled spade”; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Medieval Latin padela, padule

Origin of paddle²

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; perhaps from Low German paddeln “to tramp about”

Word History and Origins

Origin of paddle¹

C15: of unknown origin

Origin of paddle²

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. paddle one's own canoe. canoe ( def 6 ).

More idioms and phrases containing paddle

In addition to the idiom beginning with paddle , also see up the creek (without a paddle) .

Example Sentences

When it comes to lamination, the technique used for puff pastry and croissants, Vu said, "It’s best to use cold but malleable butter. Bakers will often beat or quickly paddle the butter in a stand mixer to soften it while it’s still cold."

From Salon

All I do is paddle around and fall off, but it doesn’t matter.

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than participate in the madness of a race, I prefer the calm of my paddle board or a chair on the end of our dock, where I can watch in peace as the boats sail out.

From Salon

"We're paddling, paddling, paddling, and sometimes you catch a wave. So I really want to ride this one and enjoy the view - because I know how exhausting it is to paddle and miss the wave."

From BBC

When you paddle out, it’s as though you’ve entered a new world with its own language that might sound like: “Did you see that kook? He snaked me on such a gnarly wave!”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• oar