paddle

verb pad·dle \ ˈpa-dᵊl \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

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

The series, created by Eric Wald and Dean White, is about a coastal town called Bristol Cove that has an annual mermaid festival based on an old legend that mermaids used to paddle around in the nearby waters.

— david wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle, "What’s on TV, April 12-15: ‘Siren’ sings, as does ‘Elvis Presley: The Searcher’," 12 Apr. 2018
Members of the Kukio Community Association heard cries for help from shore and paddled out in a four-person outrigger canoe to pick up the victim, whose name was not released.

— rob shikina, Anchorage Daily News, "Shark bumps Hawaii man off a stand-up paddleboard, then attacks," 2 Apr. 2018
In Los Angeles as late as 1968, high school students were paddled for blurting out Spanish phrases.

— Washington Post, "AP Explains: Why Latinos and Spanish remain political issue," 31 Mar. 2018
From there, the group turned north and paddled canoes up the Mississippi.

— chelsey lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Stunning Mississippi River views aren't the only reason to visit Perrot State Park," 22 Mar. 2018
With the waves hitting hard against the fishing lines and creating extra drag, and not being able to paddle their kayaks toward the fish, the competitors faced great adversity.

— emmett hall, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Anglers hook up with extreme action in Sailfish Smackdown challenge," 11 Mar. 2018
Fans on Twitter had a field day with the small flood, posting memes and photos of raging waters and people paddling on rafts.

— dennis romero /, NBC News, "Pipe leak at Dodger Stadium forces umpires to cut ballgame short," 28 Mar. 2018
For three of them, their school responded — by paddling them, one mother says.

— ricardo cano, azcentral, "Students walked out to protest gun violence. So their school paddled them, mom says," 15 Mar. 2018
Each team consisted of four students, but only two actually paddled the boat in the race.

— david petkiewicz, cleveland.com, "Watch the wild and wet competition at Lakewood High Cardboard Boat Regatta," 11 June 2017

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

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

In a large mixing bowl with a paddle attachment, combine lemon juice, cream cheese, orange juice, capers, chives, celery seed, onion powder and one-and-a-half teaspoons garlic powder until blended.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Butchertown Grocery's food (and chef!) continues to surprise, delight and intrigue diners," 3 Apr. 2018
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium high speed, beat the cream cheese and sugar thoroughly.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Cheesecake, without a crust, is still delicious," 30 Mar. 2018
Once again, the Altima comes exclusively with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), which is equipped with paddle shifters on the SR model.

— joe lorio, Car and Driver, "2019 Nissan Altima: New Engines and All-Wheel Drive," 29 Mar. 2018
In a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer, beat butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.

— joan elovitz kazan, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Creative ways to use the Passover staple Matzo," 27 Mar. 2018
In a large electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix eggs until fluffy.

— ana calderone, PEOPLE.com, "Elizabeth Chambers Hammer Shares Her Family Recipe for the 'Ultimate Comfort Food'," 9 Mar. 2018
On the side spokes are little metal scroll wheels that feel wonderfully tactile; behind each side spoke are the paddle shifters.

— jonathan m. gitlin, Ars Technica, "Like a hot hatch on steroids: The Porsche Macan GTS reviewed," 6 Mar. 2018
CBS Miami reports The father of two teenagers is seen on a neighbor's surveillance going into the ocean with his blue paddle board, heading north towards Oakland Park Boulevard on Tuesday morning, March 20th.

— CBS News, "Missing dad who owes $500,000 in child support last seen paddleboarding in ocean," 28 Mar. 2018
Using the paddle attachment on a mixer, cream the butter until pale yellow in color.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Ocean Prime Orlando's 10 layer cake a fresh take on carrot cake," 28 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of paddle

Middle English padell spade-shaped tool for cleaning a plow

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1624

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

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