paddle

verb pad·dle \ ˈpa-dᵊl \

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

Examples: paddle in a Sentence

Definition of paddle

paddled; paddling play \ˈpad-liŋ, ˈpa-dᵊl-iŋ\

intransitive verb

1 : to move the hands or feet about in shallow water

2 archaic : to use the hands or fingers in toying or caressing

3 : toddle

—

paddler

play \ˈpad-lər, ˈpa-dᵊl-ər\ noun

Recent Examples of paddle from the Web

Hands-on activities include paddling on Winton Lake, climbing wall, live animal encounters and fishing.

— luann gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati events: Fun and free events this weekend," 12 July 2018
Those 21 and older are invited to paddle at sunset and enjoy adult beverages around a fire from 7 to 10 p.m. July 21.

— vickie snow jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "5 boozy things to do July 20-21," 11 July 2018
There was also the young boy who was paddled 100 times for allegedly holding a girl’s hand.

— stephanie nolasco, Fox News, "Alamo cult survivor Benjamin Risha describes horrifying beatings in documentary: 'I wanted to know what life was like beyond this'," 4 July 2018
At the edge of the property is a pond where swans, mallards and coots paddle around.

— pete wells, New York Times, "The New Noma: Frequently Asked Questions," 24 Apr. 2018
The weekend includes the chance to paddle the Little Calumet River, explore historic Bailly Homestead, meet the animals at Chellberg Farm and participate in a scavenger hunt, night hike and campfire, plus a full-day music festival.

— staff report, Post-Tribune, "Community news," 27 June 2018
The club also has a trip schedule that runs through October, joining together fellow paddling enthusiasts to embark on overnight campout paddling trips, day-trips from the Schuylkill River to Valley Forge, and more.

— grace dickinson, Philly.com, "Where to rent and use kayaks and canoes in and near Philadelphia," 22 June 2018
In a bid to save him, locals paddled frantically through the water, beating drums to warn fish away from his body and tossing rice dumplings into the water as spiritual offerings.

— casey quackenbush, Time, "Here's What to Know About Asia's Annual Dragon Boat Festival," 18 June 2018
The two youngsters, who met an hour before the incident, hoisted the man onto Tsakhaev’s yellow kayak and paddled him to shore from the middle of the pond, Tsakhaev said.

— alejandro serrano, BostonGlobe.com, "Two boys rescue man on Walden Pond," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paddle.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of paddle

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1530

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

paddle

noun

Definition of paddle

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

See paddle defined for English-language learners

Examples of paddle in a Sentence

Use the mixer's paddle attachment to mix the dough.
The potter used a paddle to shape the clay.

Recent Examples of paddle from the Web

Activities include kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, a sunset hike and a beach campfire.

— staff report, Post-Tribune, "Community news," 11 July 2018
Set in Tarpon Point Marina and near over 400 miles of navigable canals and waterways, this is a serene location for kayaking, paddle boarding and sunset cruises.

— jessica colley clarke, New York Times, "Four Great Resorts With Vacation Packages for the Fourth of July," 28 May 2018
Yoga and meditation are standards, of course; but participants will also go fly-fishing, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking.

— kavita daswani, latimes.com, "Your Instagram-ready summer getaway starts here...," 26 May 2018
Above the Wake kicked off its fourth season Sunday, continuing its mission of teaching watersports including tubing, paddle boarding and wakeboarding to children diagnosed with Autism or other cognitive delays.

— ryan gillespie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Above the Wake brings water sports to Lake County children on Autism spectrum," 21 May 2018
In the past 10 years, Naish has been at the forefront of yet another fast-growing watersport: standup paddle boarding (SUP).

— danielle rossingh and shirley robertson, CNN, "How Robby Naish conquered the waves and became an icon," 23 Apr. 2018
Queen City will now operate out of both Kellogg Avenue and East Fork and will expand its operations to include other water sports including paddle boarding, and more rowing programs focused on inner-city youth, para-rowers, and veterans.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "New restaurants coming to Clermont County," 23 Apr. 2018
Family Adventure Day, Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring the whole family or drop off the kids for a morning paddle tour around Sullivan Island.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Tri-Rail Day, ship tours, laser shows line up for Earth Day weekend," 18 Apr. 2018
The beach offers perfect conditions for volleyball, stand-up paddle boarding, running, beach tennis or yoga classes, which our wellness ambassadors can set up for clients.

— lindsay silberman, Town & Country, "The Best Room At...Hotel Emiliano Rio," 12 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of paddle

Middle English padell spade-shaped tool for cleaning a plow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1624

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

paddle

verb

Definition of paddle

paddled; paddling play \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

—

paddler

play \ˈpad-lər, ˈpa-dᵊl-ər\ noun

First Known Use of paddle

1637

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

PADDLE Defined for English Language Learners

paddle

noun

Definition of paddle for English Language Learners

: a long, usually wooden pole that has a wide, flat part at the end and is used to move and steer a small boat (such as a canoe)
: an object with a short handle and a wide, flat part that is used to hit the ball in various games (such as table tennis)
: any one of various tools or devices that are wide, flat, and thin

PADDLE Defined for Kids

paddle

verb pad·dle \ ˈpa-dᵊl \

Definition of paddle for Students

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

noun

Definition of paddle for Students

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

verb

Definition of paddle for Students

paddled; paddling

: to move or splash about in the water

Medical Dictionary

paddle

noun pad·dle \ ˈpad-ᵊl \

medical Definition of paddle

: 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