oar

American  

[awr, ohr] / ɔr, oʊr /

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.

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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.

idioms

1. 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.

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

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

oar British  

/ 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. to interfere or interrupt

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verb

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

   the two men were oaring their way across the lake

oar More Idioms  

1. see put one's oar in.

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Other Word Forms

• oarless adjective
• oarlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of oar

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

Example Sentences

A transatlantic rowing crew have been forced to patch up their boat with an empty champagne bottle and a broken oar after being attacked by a marlin.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2024

“The Boys in the Boat” is ultimately a tribute to a time long gone, to the power of teamwork, and to the grace with which an oar dips into the water on a sun-dappled lake.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2023

In California, a navigable water source is a body of water that is “capable of being navigated by oar or motor-propelled small craft,” so anywhere you could get into a boat and go 500 yards.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2023

The performer in front — actually Woods himself, with dancer Tamzin O’Garro behind — is wielding the cello bow as an oar.

From New York Times • Nov. 20, 2022

But all that he was able to find was an oar, a box of rations, and more rapids.

From "Death on the River of Doubt" by Samantha Seiple