canoe

1 of 2

noun

ca·​noe kə-ˈnü 

: 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

kə-ˈnü-ə-bəl 

adjective

canoeist

kə-ˈnü-ist 

noun

canoer

kə-ˈnü-ər 

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

Noun

Video posted to social media by the sheriff’s office shows the dramatic rescue of the man, treading water near a red canoe before being hoisted into the air by a rescuer attached to a rope dangling from a helicopter. —Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 23 Mar. 2026

The dwelling is technically two structures, which are connected by a rope bridge, and guests making their way down to the water can enjoy complimentary access to canoes and kayaks. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2026

Verb

Authorities in Connecticut recovered the body of a 20-year-old college student Monday after a multiday search following a canoeing accident on a local lake, officials said. —Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Mar. 2026

To cool off, spend a day on the Shenandoah River kayaking, fishing, or canoeing. —Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for canoe

• blew
• blue
• boo
• brew
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew

Kids Definition

canoe

1 of 2 noun

ca·​noe kə-ˈnü 

: 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

-ˈnü-əst 

noun