paddle
1 of 3noun
pad·dle ˈpa-dᵊl 
1
a
: a usually wooden implement that has a long handle and a broad flattened blade and that is used to propel and steer a small craft (such as a canoe)
b
: an implement often with a short handle and a broad flat blade that is used for stirring, mixing, or hitting
especially : one used to hit a ball in any of various games (such as table tennis)
c
: a small usually numbered sign that is raised by a bidder at an auction to signal a bid
d
: a flat electrode that is the part of a defibrillator placed on the chest of a patient and through which a shock of electricity is discharged
2
a
: any of the broad boards at the circumference of a paddle wheel or waterwheel
b
: any of the broad blades attached to a shaft (as in an ice cream machine) and used for stirring
3
: a computer input device with a dial used to control linear movement of a cursor on a computer display
paddle-like
ˈpa-dᵊl-ˌlīk
adjective or paddlelike
a paddle-like tail
paddlelike forelimbs
paddle
2 of 3verb (1)
paddled; paddling ˈpad-liŋ
ˈpa-dᵊl-iŋ
intransitive verb
: to go on or through water by or as if by means of a paddle or paddle wheel
transitive verb
1
a
: to propel by a paddle
b
: to transport in a paddled craft
paddled us to shore in his canoe
2
a
: to beat or stir with or as if with a paddle (as in washing or dyeing)
b
: to punish by or as if by beating with a paddle
paddle
3 of 3verb (2)
paddled; paddling
intransitive verb
1
: to move the hands or feet about in shallow water
2
: toddle
3
archaic : to use the hands or fingers in toying or caressing
Synonyms
Verb (1)
- oar
- row
- scull
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun Use the mixer's paddle attachment to mix the dough. The potter used a paddle to shape the clay.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022 Minnie Driver clambered into a pink-and-green kayak, adjusted her legs against the foot pegs, grabbed her paddle and pushed off the wobbling dock into a choppy Hudson River. New York Times, 17 June 2022 And this week's sabotage is pretty heavy: The players chosen will have to scratch off an additional four-digit code and unlock two locks to get their paddle. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 8 June 2022 Minimal movement will help to keep the ball in the proper location: just above your paddle. Jeff Tomko, Men's Health, 13 May 2022 And get ready to raise your virtual paddle tomorrow morning when the auction opens. Kim Westerman, Forbes, 30 Apr. 2022 The most dangerous weapon on the river, Hilbrich added, is your raft paddle. Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2022 The resort overall offers a feel of tranquility for those looking to relax and enjoy doing nothing; for those wanting to get out and explore, there’s also access to snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles and Monkey River excursions. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 20 Aug. 2022 The Salt Lake Tribune Participants in Outdoor Retailer try out new watercraft from stand up paddle boards to kayaks at the Demonstration Experience at Jordanelle State Park Tuesday July 25, 2017. The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2022 The tool, which combines a round brush and paddle brush with fast drying power, will make managing even the worst bedhead a breeze. Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 25 July 2022 The three standard must-haves, says our expert, are the whisk, dough hook, and paddle. Rennie Dyball, PEOPLE.com, 21 July 2022 With inflatables and paddle boats on hand, as well as face painting, food trucks, an outdoor Sunday night movie and a petting zoo, there were plenty of smile-inducing activities for children and families. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 8 July 2022 The race challenges participants to row, pedal or paddle — no motors or towing allowed — 70 miles from Tacoma to Port Townsend, Washington, across the Puget Sound in just 48 hours. Anastasia Hufham, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 June 2022 Experience the Ohio River in one of two ways: kayak or canoe the traditional 9-mile trip, or paddle the shorter 4.5-mile distance. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 17 June 2022 There are innumerable outdoor activities from which to choose — trails to hike, country roads to drive, boats to navigate or paddle. Ed Silverman, STAT, 13 June 2022 Play in Lake Michigan, paddle the area’s many waterways, or convince your friends to tackle the 3 Dune Challenge, a leg burn-inducing 1.5-mile loop with 552 feet of vertical gain on steep sand. Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 7 Apr. 2022 See More
Noun
Natalia also discovered her paddle made a great fan in Saturday’s steamy heat. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2022 Minnie Driver clambered into a pink-and-green kayak, adjusted her legs against the foot pegs, grabbed her paddle and pushed off the wobbling dock into a choppy Hudson River. New York Times, 17 June 2022 And this week's sabotage is pretty heavy: The players chosen will have to scratch off an additional four-digit code and unlock two locks to get their paddle. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 8 June 2022 Minimal movement will help to keep the ball in the proper location: just above your paddle. Jeff Tomko, Men's Health, 13 May 2022 And get ready to raise your virtual paddle tomorrow morning when the auction opens. Kim Westerman, Forbes, 30 Apr. 2022 The most dangerous weapon on the river, Hilbrich added, is your raft paddle. Christopher Solomon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Mar. 2022 The resort overall offers a feel of tranquility for those looking to relax and enjoy doing nothing; for those wanting to get out and explore, there’s also access to snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards, bicycles and Monkey River excursions. Emily Longeretta, Variety, 20 Aug. 2022 The Salt Lake Tribune Participants in Outdoor Retailer try out new watercraft from stand up paddle boards to kayaks at the Demonstration Experience at Jordanelle State Park Tuesday July 25, 2017. The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2022 Verb
Police said the paddleboarder, a resident of Pacific Grove, and his dog were thrown off the board, but managed to climb back on and paddle back to safety. Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2022 The tool, which combines a round brush and paddle brush with fast drying power, will make managing even the worst bedhead a breeze. Annie O’sullivan, Good Housekeeping, 25 July 2022 The three standard must-haves, says our expert, are the whisk, dough hook, and paddle. Rennie Dyball, PEOPLE.com, 21 July 2022 With inflatables and paddle boats on hand, as well as face painting, food trucks, an outdoor Sunday night movie and a petting zoo, there were plenty of smile-inducing activities for children and families. Beth Mlady, cleveland, 8 July 2022 The race challenges participants to row, pedal or paddle — no motors or towing allowed — 70 miles from Tacoma to Port Townsend, Washington, across the Puget Sound in just 48 hours. Anastasia Hufham, The Salt Lake Tribune, 21 June 2022 Experience the Ohio River in one of two ways: kayak or canoe the traditional 9-mile trip, or paddle the shorter 4.5-mile distance. Victoria Moorwood, The Enquirer, 17 June 2022 There are innumerable outdoor activities from which to choose — trails to hike, country roads to drive, boats to navigate or paddle. Ed Silverman, STAT, 13 June 2022 Play in Lake Michigan, paddle the area’s many waterways, or convince your friends to tackle the 3 Dune Challenge, a leg burn-inducing 1.5-mile loop with 552 feet of vertical gain on steep sand. Emily Pennington, Outside Online, 7 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English padell spade-shaped tool for cleaning a plow
Verb (2)
origin unknown
First Known Use
Noun
circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb (1)
1637, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Verb (2)
1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing paddle
Kids Definition
paddle 1 of 3
verb
pad·dle ˈpa-dᵊl
paddled; paddling
1
: to move or drive forward with an instrument like an oar or with short quick movements of hands and feet
2
: to stir, mix, or beat with a paddle
paddle
2 of 3noun
1
: an instrument like an oar used in moving and steering a small boat (as a canoe)
2
: an implement having a broad flat end and used for beating, mixing, or hitting
3
: one of the broad boards at the outer edge of a waterwheel or a paddle wheel
paddle
3 of 3verb
paddled; paddling
: to move or splash about in the water
Medical Definition
paddle
noun
pad·dle ˈpad-ᵊl
: a flat electrode that is the part of a defibrillator placed on the chest of a patient and through which a shock of electricity is discharged
called also paddle electrode
paddles
verb
1
as in oars
to move a boat by means of oars I like to paddle on the river for exercise and relaxation Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- oars
- kayaks
- canoes
- rows
- sculls
- poles
- pulls
- punts
- feathers
2
as in licks
to strike repeatedly back in those times it was acceptable for teachers to paddle misbehaving students Synonyms & Similar Words
- licks
- whips
- pounds
- pelts
- lashes
- hides
- beats
- thumps
- spanks
- bats
- slaps
- batters
- punches
- hammers
- knocks
- hits
- mauls
- clubs
- switches
- belts
- bludgeons
- attacks
- slams
- assaults
- does
- smashes
- boxes
- chops
- pommels
- laces
- slates
- tans
- raids
- whacks
- whales
- buffets
- wallops
- curries
- bashes
- birches
- thrashes
- threshes
- punches out
- flogs
- pummels
- swipes
- lathers
- works over
- storms
- whaps
- swats
- cuffs
- thwacks
- smacks
- straps
- fibs
- slogs
- bastes
- wounds
- socks
- bungs up
- canes
- drubs
- rushes
- whups
- belabors
- leathers
- beats up on
- cudgels
- whops
- tromps
- cracks
- clouts
- blackjacks
- lams
- lambastes
- pastes
- flagellates
- horsewhips
- whams
- cowhides
- lambasts
- lacerates
- roughs (up)
- clobbers
- descends (on or upon)
- busts
- lays on
- scourges
- pistol-whips
- rawhides
- gores
- whomps
- jumps (on)
- messes (up)
- assails
- besets
- mangles
- mutilates
- fustigates
- maims
- pounces (on or upon)
