canoe

1 of 2

noun

ca·​noe kə-ˈnü How to pronounce canoe (audio)
: a light narrow boat with both ends sharp that is usually propelled by paddling

canoe

2 of 2

verb

canoed; canoeing

transitive verb

: to transport in a canoe
also : to travel by canoe down (a river)

intransitive verb

: to go or travel in a canoe
canoeable adjective
canoeist noun
canoer noun

Examples of canoe in a Sentence

Verb He canoed down the river to the camp. They canoed part of the Colorado River this summer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Mattel Disney Moana’s Canoe Crew Playset Prefer to have the full set of dolls without the canoe? Tim Chan, Variety, 27 Nov. 2024 There’s Loto, who designed and maintains the canoe; Kele, the grouchy elder chef who prepares vegetables; and Moni, a young storyteller and Maui fanboy. Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2024
Verb
Older kids and teenagers often enjoy spear-throwing with a Maasai warrior, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides, and canoeing in the Okavango Delta. Maija De Rijk-Uys, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024 Well, British adventurer Ben Kilner recently canoed the trip in one direction then triked it in the other, using the same amphibious vehicle for both legs of the journey. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for canoe 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from New Latin canoa, from Spanish, from Arawakan, of Cariban origin; akin to Carib kana:wa canoe

First Known Use

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of canoe was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near canoe

Cite this Entry

“Canoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canoe. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

canoe

1 of 2 noun
ca·​noe kə-ˈnü How to pronounce canoe (audio)
: a long light narrow boat with pointed ends and curved sides that is usually moved by someone using a paddle

canoe

2 of 2 verb
canoed; canoeing
: to travel or carry in a canoe
canoeist noun

More from Merriam-Webster on canoe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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