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

With no way to communicate, the surviving man, identified as Paul Council, located a canoe and made his way back to North Hero to alert the authorities of the incident. —Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

No death-defying rapids here on this lazy, looping stretch easily paddled by families in canoes. —Stephen Trimble, Denver Post, 20 Oct. 2025

Verb

This is not an activity for beginners, the faint of heart, or the day-tripper, but kayaking or canoeing the Savonoski Loop is sure to be a memorable adventure. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025

In 1973, a few months after canoeing the Sprewell Bluff section, Carter vetoed a dam proposal that would have inundated some of the Flint’s most iconic areas. —David Hanson, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2025

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

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