paddle

play

verb pad·dle \ ˈpa-dᵊl \

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

Students paddled lakes and followed paths on a 10-day canoe trip to Quetico Provincial Park in Canada.

— Daily Southtown, "Community news," 30 Aug. 2017
Bonilla pushed the boat into the water and sat down in it, paddling toward his nephew’s home about four blocks away.

— ryan osborne, star-telegram, "40 miles from downtown Houston, ‘We thought the rain was going to come but not flood’," 29 Aug. 2017
Zinke did some hiking, took in a panoramic vista, and paddled in a canoe.

— Washington Post, "Maine monument supporter ‘optimistic’ after chat with Zinke," 28 Aug. 2017
Zinke did some hiking, took in a panoramic vista, and paddled in a canoe.

— david sharp, The Seattle Times, "Maine monument supporter ‘optimistic’ after chat with Zinke," 28 Aug. 2017
A state subcommittee declared the ban invalid, and paddling students became permissible again in 1992.

— kirsten clark, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky still allows students to be paddled, and this Louisville kid wants to stop it," 10 Aug. 2017
Along with spanking, common forms of impact play are slapping, paddling, caning, and whipping.

— sophie saint thomas, GQ, "A Very Useful Guide to Sexy Spanking," 9 Aug. 2017
It was determined the teens entered the Fox River in an inflatable raft at a fishing access station in Lippold Park and attempted to paddle north — against the current — toward Glenwood Forest Preserve when the raft overturned, officials said.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Teen girls rescued after raft overturns in flooded Fox River," 27 July 2017
There’s also the constant paradox of having to exert great effort to paddle, while simultaneously surrendering to the power of a wave you’re riding (or falling into)—a Zen metaphor if ever there was one.

— jaimal yogis, The Atlantic, "Is Surfing More Sport or Religion?," 23 July 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

The big leaguers were even permitted to grab a paddle and compete for Ping-Pong supremacy in the Grove, which is otherwise treated as a sanctuary for this week's minicelebrities from around the world.

— chris brodeur, courant.com, "Major Leaguers Invade Fairfield American Little Leaguers' Latest Matchup," 21 Aug. 2017
Think of Gear Shift Assist Pro as paddle-shifting for motorcycles.

— joe michaud, sandiegouniontribune.com, "2017 BMW S 1000 R: Muscular roadster is naked, unafraid," 10 Aug. 2017
Over the weekend, the only grandson of JFK sported John Jr.'s signature look while paddle-boarding around Manhattan for charity.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "Shirtless Jack Schlossberg Channels His Uncle John Kennedy For a Charity Race," 9 Aug. 2017
Make the maple frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cream cheese and butter on low speed until smooth.

— ina garten, House Beautiful, "Ina Garten's Recipe for Pumpkin Cupcakes With Maple Frosting," 2 Aug. 2017
Wang Duoli, a fisherman whose home was flooded out more than a decade ago, paddles near the solar farm.

— TIME.com, "The world’s largest floating solar farm," 18 July 2017
Ping-Pong For Hobbyists Finally a reason to bust out the Ping-Pong paddle emoji.

— marielle wakim, Los Angeles Magazine, "Best of LA: 92 of Our Favorite Things to Eat, Do, and Buy Right Now," 14 July 2017
These are the type-A entries, where the crew – usually one or two people – uses oars or kayak paddles to power their vessels.

— david lyman, Cincinnati.com, "'I’m pretty sure they want us to sink'," 7 July 2017
To make filling, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth in a large mixing bowl using paddle attachment of electric mixer.

— milwaukee, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "New York Cheesecake with Fresh Berries," 3 July 2017

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

Recent Examples of paddle from the Web

Students paddled lakes and followed paths on a 10-day canoe trip to Quetico Provincial Park in Canada.

— Daily Southtown, "Community news," 30 Aug. 2017
Bonilla pushed the boat into the water and sat down in it, paddling toward his nephew’s home about four blocks away.

— ryan osborne, star-telegram, "40 miles from downtown Houston, ‘We thought the rain was going to come but not flood’," 29 Aug. 2017
Zinke did some hiking, took in a panoramic vista, and paddled in a canoe.

— Washington Post, "Maine monument supporter ‘optimistic’ after chat with Zinke," 28 Aug. 2017
Zinke did some hiking, took in a panoramic vista, and paddled in a canoe.

— david sharp, The Seattle Times, "Maine monument supporter ‘optimistic’ after chat with Zinke," 28 Aug. 2017
A state subcommittee declared the ban invalid, and paddling students became permissible again in 1992.

— kirsten clark, The Courier-Journal, "Kentucky still allows students to be paddled, and this Louisville kid wants to stop it," 10 Aug. 2017
Along with spanking, common forms of impact play are slapping, paddling, caning, and whipping.

— sophie saint thomas, GQ, "A Very Useful Guide to Sexy Spanking," 9 Aug. 2017
It was determined the teens entered the Fox River in an inflatable raft at a fishing access station in Lippold Park and attempted to paddle north — against the current — toward Glenwood Forest Preserve when the raft overturned, officials said.

— staff report, Aurora Beacon-News, "Teen girls rescued after raft overturns in flooded Fox River," 27 July 2017
There’s also the constant paradox of having to exert great effort to paddle, while simultaneously surrendering to the power of a wave you’re riding (or falling into)—a Zen metaphor if ever there was one.

— jaimal yogis, The Atlantic, "Is Surfing More Sport or Religion?," 23 July 2017

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

play

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

play

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