paddle

verb pad·dle \ ˈpa-dᵊl \

|Updated on: 10 Jun 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

To research his upcoming book about the twin fates of the caracara bird species and the 19th-century naturalist William Henry Hudson, Meiburg spent a month paddling upriver in the jungles of Guyana.

— stephen humphries, BostonGlobe.com, "In the band Loma, a test of relationships, musical and otherwise," 1 May 2018
But the wind was carrying him toward Chichi Jima, so Bush began paddling in the opposite direction with his arms.

— rachel siegel, courant.com, "'I thought I was done': George H.W. Bush faced death at 20 during WWII," 24 Apr. 2018
But the wind was carrying him towards Chichi Jima, so Bush began paddling in the opposite direction with his arms.

— rachel siegel, Washington Post, "‘I thought I was done’: George H.W. Bush faced death at 20 during WWII," 23 Apr. 2018
Kayakers can paddle Cache Creek, with kayaks available for rent from Shady Acres Campground, adjacent to the park.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "22 reasons to wander Lake County now," 5 Apr. 2018
The Great Ohio River Odyssey paddles into Louisville Saturday.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Calling all water lovers. Great Ohio River Odyssey paddles into Louisville this weekend," 13 Sep. 2017
Scott White said Frazier climbed back aboard and paddled the 1991 Regal Runabout across the channel to a dock at Simmons Point.

— Fox News, "3 killed in boat crash on Missouri lake; operator arrested," 20 May 2018
And some of the participants have watched every season but never bothered to learn to paddle a canoe or drive a manual transmission car!

— paul gutelius, The Christian Science Monitor, "What are you watching? Readers recommend 'This Is Us,' 'Lost'," 11 May 2018
Dean Varner paddled his son for turning up his nose at pizza for dinner in 2015.

— Washington Post, "North Carolina court considers if father’s paddling is crime," 18 Apr. 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

Holtby, who didn’t start the first two games of the Capitals’ first-round series against Columbus, made a reaching, diving save with the paddle of his stick, a potential series-changer and the first Cup Final victory for the franchise.

— helene elliott, latimes.com, "Gutsy Capitals crash Golden Knights' playoff party with 3-2 win in Game 2 of Stanley Cup Final," 31 May 2018
The hospital also saw photos of the girl's injuries from another incident in March when Tiffany Gorham allegedly hit the girl multiple times with a wooden paddle or board.

— kaitlyn schwers, kansascity, "Missouri couple accused of tormenting 8-year-old face 52 counts of abuse, neglect," 31 May 2018
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until creamy, then add the confectioners’ sugar and beat until fluffy.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: Peach Crostata with Almond Cream," 30 May 2018
Let come to room temperature, then beat with paddle attachment in stand mixer until smooth.

— claire saffitz, Bon Appetit, "Lemon and Raspberry Wedding Cake with Vanilla Buttercream," 21 May 2018
Mix the eggs, granulated and brown sugars, molasses and vanilla together in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until combined, about 1 minute.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Starbucks doesn't share recipes but this pumpkin bread comes close," 11 May 2018
Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat butter and both sugars on medium speed until light and creamy, about 5 minutes.

— ana calderone, PEOPLE.com, "Pastry Chef Gesine Bullock-Prado Dishes on the Tips and Tools Every Baker Needs," 2 May 2018
Meanwhile, in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a handheld electric mixer), beat the condensed milk, egg yolks, lemon juice, and salt on medium speed for 4 minutes.

— Southern Living, "We're Crazy for the Crust in Joanna Gaines' Lemon Pie Recipe," 27 Apr. 2018
Add crawfish and potatoes and stir with large paddle.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "How to boil crawfish: A first-timer's recipe, process," 30 Mar. 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