paddle

[ pad-l ]

/ ˈpæd l /

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See synonyms for: paddle / paddling on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

any of various similar implements used for mixing, stirring, or beating.

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.

such an implement or a similarly shaped makeshift one, used to spank or beat someone.

an implement used for beating garments while washing them in running water, as in a stream.

Also called float, floatboard . a blade of a paddle wheel.

paddle wheel.

any of the blades by which a water wheel is turned.

a flipper or limb of a penguin, turtle, whale, etc.

an act of paddling.

Also pat·tle

[pat-l, paht-l] /ˈpæt l, ˈpɑt l/ .British Dialect. a small spade with a long handle, used to dig up thistles.

(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.

to propel or travel in a canoe or the like by using a paddle.

to row lightly or gently with oars.

to move by means of paddle wheels, as a steamer.

verb (used with object), pad·dled, pad·dling.

to propel with a paddle: to paddle a canoe.

to spank or beat with or as with a paddle.

to stir, mix, or beat with or as with a paddle

to convey by paddling, as a canoe.

to hit (a table-tennis ball or the like) with a paddle.

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Idioms about paddle

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

Origin of paddle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM paddle

paddler, noun

Words nearby paddle

Padang, padauk, padded cell, padding, Paddington, paddle, paddleball, paddleboard, paddleboat, paddle box, paddlefish

Other definitions for paddle (2 of 2)

paddle²

[ pad-l ]

/ ˈpæd l /

verb (used without object), pad·dled, pad·dling.

to move the feet or hands playfully in shallow water; dabble.

to toy with the fingers.

to toddle.

Origin of paddle

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

OTHER WORDS FROM paddle

paddler, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use paddle in a sentence

This video follows professional kayaker Dane Jackson and his friends as they paddle through one of its narrowest sections, only accessible by kayak.
Paddling One of the Narrowest Rivers in the World|Outside Editors|September 11, 2020|Outside Online
This means that on portages, two people each grab a bag and some paddles, and the third person hoists the canoe.
How (and Why) to Execute the Perfect Canoe Portage|Alex Hutchinson|September 9, 2020|Outside Online
The moment you land, two paddlers hop out, hoist the two packs and paddles, and hit the trail.
How (and Why) to Execute the Perfect Canoe Portage|Alex Hutchinson|September 9, 2020|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.
Carissa Moore's 5 Favorite Surf Towns|Megan Michelson|September 9, 2020|Outside Online

Meanwhile, the rover’s back wheels paddled from side to side.
Wiggly wheels might help rovers plow through loose lunar soils|Maria Temming|June 26, 2020|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.
Finding Food Heaven on the Cali Coast|Jane & Michael Stern|August 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ever obliging, Springsteen then flexed all the right things on a paddle board.
Bruce Springsteen’s Bond Moment: The Boss’ Body Beautiful at 64|Tim Teeman|July 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His paddle had “FAH-Q” painted on one side, and “O.B./Badass” painted on the other.
‘Dazed and Confused’ 20th Anniversary: 20 Craziest Facts About the Cult Classic|Marlow Stern|September 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I have good balance, but it was basically the first time I had ever been on a paddle board.
Off the Hook: Eric Young’s Craziest Shark Catches (Video)|Anna Klassen|August 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
What do you call it when a husband beats his wife with a paddle for disobeying him?
Spanking for Jesus: Inside the Unholy World of ‘Christian Domestic Discipline’|Brandy Zadrozny|June 19, 2013|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!
Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike
The girls were dressed in such boating costumes as gave them the very freest movement, and they both used the paddle skillfully.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
But suddenly Jessie drove her paddle deep into the water and sent the canoe in a dash to the landing.
The Campfire Girls of Roselawn|Margaret Penrose
The 'Syria' was originally a paddle-wheel steamer, having oscillating cylinders worked with steam of 25 lbs.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
An article in 'The Times' gives in strong contrast the relative value of screw and paddle-wheels as propellers.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick

British Dictionary definitions for paddle (1 of 2)

paddle¹

/ (ˈpædəl) /

noun

a short light oar with a flat blade at one or both ends, used without a rowlock to propel a canoe or small boat

Also called: float a blade of a water wheel or paddle wheel

a period of paddlingto go for a paddle upstream

a paddle wheel used to propel a boat
(as modifier)a paddle steamer

the sliding panel in a lock or sluicegate that regulates the level or flow of water

any of various instruments shaped like a paddle and used for beating, mixing, etc

a table-tennis bat

the flattened limb of a seal, turtle, or similar aquatic animal, specialized for swimming

verb

to propel (a canoe, small boat, etc) with a paddle

paddle one's own canoe

to be self-sufficient
to mind one's own business

(tr) to convey by paddlingwe paddled him to the shore

(tr) to stir or mix with or as if with a paddle

to row (a boat) steadily, esp (of a racing crew) to row firmly but not at full pressure

(intr) (of steamships) to be propelled by paddle wheels

(intr) to swim with short rapid strokes, like a dog

(tr) US and Canadian informal to spank

Derived forms of paddle

paddler, noun

Word Origin for paddle

C15: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for paddle (2 of 2)

paddle²

/ (ˈpædəl) /

verb (mainly intr)

to walk or play barefoot in shallow water, mud, etc

to dabble the fingers, hands, or feet in water

to walk unsteadily, like a baby

(tr) archaic to fondle with the fingers

noun

the act of paddling in water

Derived forms of paddle

paddler, noun

Word Origin for paddle

C16: of uncertain origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with paddle

paddle

In addition to the idiom beginning with paddle

paddle one's own canoe

also see:

up the creek (without a paddle)

paddle

Idioms about paddle

Origin of paddle

OTHER WORDS FROM paddle

Words nearby paddle

Other definitions for paddle (2 of 2)

Origin of paddle

OTHER WORDS FROM paddle

Words related to paddle

How to use paddle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for paddle (1 of 2)

Derived forms of paddle

Word Origin for paddle

British Dictionary definitions for paddle (2 of 2)

Derived forms of paddle

Word Origin for paddle

Other Idioms and Phrases with paddle