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

This video follows professional kayaker Dane Jackson and his friends as they paddle through one of its narrowest sections, only accessible by kayak.

From Outside Online

This means that on portages, two people each grab a bag and some paddles, and the third person hoists the canoe.

From Outside Online

The moment you land, two paddlers hop out, hoist the two packs and paddles, and hit the trail.

From Outside Online

These breaks can vary from beginner to advanced, depending on where you paddle out, how shallow the sandbank is, and how strong the current is.

From Outside Online

Meanwhile, the rover’s back wheels paddled from side to side.

From Science News For Students

Others plan where to paddle into the surf off Black's Beach to catch a wave when the big breakers start rolling in.

From The Daily Beast

Ever obliging, Springsteen then flexed all the right things on a paddle board.

From The Daily Beast

His paddle had “FAH-Q” painted on one side, and “O.B./Badass” painted on the other.

From The Daily Beast

I have good balance, but it was basically the first time I had ever been on a paddle board.

From The Daily Beast

What do you call it when a husband beats his wife with a paddle for disobeying him?

From The Daily Beast

Then she would turn him over on his back and paddle his stomach with a ladle to make sure that he was well filled!

From Project Gutenberg

The girls were dressed in such boating costumes as gave them the very freest movement, and they both used the paddle skillfully.

From Project Gutenberg

But suddenly Jessie drove her paddle deep into the water and sent the canoe in a dash to the landing.

From Project Gutenberg

The 'Syria' was originally a paddle-wheel steamer, having oscillating cylinders worked with steam of 25 lbs.

From Project Gutenberg

An article in 'The Times' gives in strong contrast the relative value of screw and paddle-wheels as propellers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• oar