paddle
1a 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.
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.
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.
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.
Idioms about paddle
paddle one's own canoe. canoe (def. 6).
Origin of paddle
1Other words from paddle
- paddler, noun
Words Nearby paddle
Other definitions for paddle (2 of 2)
to move the feet or hands playfully in shallow water; dabble.
to toy with the fingers.
to toddle.
Origin of paddle
2Other words from paddle
- paddler, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
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 OnlineThis 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 OnlineThe 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 OnlineThese breaks can vary from beginner to advanced, depending on where you paddle out, how shallow the sandbank is, and how strong the current is.
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.
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 | THE DAILY BEASTHis 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 | THE DAILY BEASTI 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 | THE DAILY BEASTWhat 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 | THE DAILY BEASTThen 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. PikeThe 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 PenroseBut 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 PenroseThe '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 TrevithickAn 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)
/ (ˈpædəl) /
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 paddling: to 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
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 paddling: we 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
Origin of paddle
1Derived forms of paddle
- paddler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for paddle (2 of 2)
/ (ˈpædəl) /
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
the act of paddling in water
Origin of paddle
2Derived forms of paddle
- paddler, noun
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
In addition to the idiom beginning with paddle
- paddle one's own canoe
also see:
- up the creek (without a paddle)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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