canoe

1 of 2

noun

ca·​noe kə-ˈnü How to pronounce canoe (audio)
Synonyms of canoenext
: 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
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Noun
There are also locations to rent snowshoes and canoes, and places to swim, picnic and ride a boat. Usa Today Network, USA Today, 10 June 2026 Launch your canoe, kayak or paddle board from the landing located near the waterfront deck. Alexandra Maloney june 9, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026
Verb
Another time a ranger warned her canoeing group not to get their hands — or anything else — in the water. ABC News, 4 June 2026 My childhood was spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains, camping in the Peaks of Otter, and canoeing down the James River. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2026 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

1541, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1732, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of canoe was in 1541

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Canoe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canoe. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

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

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