paddleboard

American  

[pad-l-bawrd] / ˈpæd lˌbɔrd /

noun

1. a board of variable size, similar to a surfboard in shape, used in any of various watersports that involve sitting, kneeling, lying, or standing on the board and propelling it with the hands or a paddle.

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verb (used without object)

1. to engage in any of various watersports that involve riding on a board similar in shape to a surfboard while propelling it with the hands or a paddle, depending on whether one is sitting, kneeling, lying, or standing.

   If you’re heading out to paddleboard for the first time, go to a place you’re familiar with, and go with a friend.

paddleboard British  

/ ˈpædəlˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a long narrow surfboard

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Etymology

Origin of paddleboard

First recorded in 1780–90, for an earlier sense; 1930–35, for the current senses; paddle ¹ + board

Example Sentences

With just five hours left on his honeymoon at the Radisson Blu resort in Poste Lafayette, South African finance executive Leonard Beukman, 29, decided to squeeze in a paddleboard session.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

Marine rescue volunteer Paul Bresland said the teen's four-hour swim saved his family, who were eventually found clinging to a paddleboard in the open ocean off the tourist town of Quindalup.

From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026

Frank’s Paddlesport Livery is the first recreational kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboard operator to open downtown, thanks to the cleanup effort.

From Salon • Jan. 13, 2026

She has also taken to the sea on a paddleboard with the help of her friend Adam when visiting islands off the coast including Aran, Inishbofin, and Clare, much to the disbelief of the locals.

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2025

Meanwhile I’m nailing the paddleboard between the two wheels while Alice and Miss Turner are building a wall outside the millhouse on which to lay the wheel shaft.

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George