paddle

1 of 3

noun

pad·​dle ˈpa-dᵊl 

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

paddle-like

ˈpa-dᵊl-ˌlīk 

adjective

or paddlelike

a paddle-like tail

paddlelike forelimbs

paddle

2 of 3

verb (1)

paddled; paddling 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

paddle

3 of 3

verb (2)

paddled; paddling

intransitive verb

1

: to move the hands or feet about in shallow water

2

: toddle

3

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

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• oar
• row
• scull

Examples of paddle in a Sentence

Noun

Use the mixer's paddle attachment to mix the dough.

The potter used a paddle to shape the clay.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Those with curly or coily hair texture should also have a paddle brush, says Mensah. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 30 Nov. 2023

Beat together butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl (if using a hand mixer); beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023

Made with a premium fiberglass face and sturdy handle, these lightweight paddles will turn even beginners into pros in no time. —Poppy Morgan, Rolling Stone, 21 Nov. 2023

Hike, bike, or paddle in the spring, summer, and fall, or head to any of its world-class ski resorts in the winter. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 7 Nov. 2023

Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. —David Leite, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Nov. 2023

Your paddle system has three parts: the paddles at the bottom, a length of rope in the middle, and a heavy weight that slides along the rope from top to bottom. —Rhett Allain, WIRED, 31 Oct. 2023

Classic cutting board For giftees who enjoy entertaining, this 22-by-9-inch wood paddle cheese board with three small marble bowls for nuts or other nibbles makes a lovely present. —Leigh-Ann Jackson, wsj.com, 30 Oct. 2023

There are 11 speed options and the mixer comes with three attachments (the standard paddle, dough hook, and whisk). —Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 20 Nov. 2023

Verb

Someone bid immediately; no additional bids followed, and the painting was sold to paddle 6073. —Matt Stevens, New York Times, 28 Nov. 2023

Nonetheless, after a couple of days the two men fled by canoe at night, paddling to a nearby town. —Rivka Galchen, The New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2023

The friendly exes were spotted paddling in a kayak with Bingham, and Bellamy was seen taking photos of Hudson and her daughter getting playful on the beach. —Erin Clack, Peoplemag, 9 Sep. 2023

With a glint in his eye, Richard L. Bean reminisces about the days when children in his detention center could be paddled. —Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 16 Nov. 2023

Try your hand at fishing, paddling a canoe to pick up trash, or guided yoga and meditation. —Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2023

Custom artwork from Spain, handmade ceramic cactus paddles, and wallpaper add an artsy vibe to the space. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2023

The maintenance worker paddled out in a kayak and pulled the container to the shore, but didn’t open it. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2023

Featured this week, a Missouri man attempted to set a record by paddling down a river in what? 3. —CNN, 19 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English padell spade-shaped tool for cleaning a plow

Verb (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1637, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing paddle

• paddle tennis
• dog paddle
• paddle wheeler
• paddle wheel

• paddle tennis
• dog paddle
• paddle wheeler
• paddle wheel

Kids Definition

paddle

1 of 3 verb

pad·​dle ˈpad-ᵊl 

paddled; paddling ˈpad-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

: to move the hands or feet about in shallow water

paddle

2 of 3 noun

1

a

: an instrument with a flat blade to move and steer a small boat (as a canoe)

b

: an instrument used for stirring, mixing, or hitting

c

: a short bat with a broad flat blade used to hit the ball in various games (as table tennis)

2

: one of the broad boards at the outer rim of a paddle wheel or waterwheel

paddle

3 of 3 verb

paddled; paddling ˈpad-liŋ 

-ᵊl-iŋ

1

: to move or drive forward with or as if with a paddle

2

: to stir or mix with a paddle

3

: to beat with or as if with a paddle

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

Noun

Middle English padell "a device for cleaning a plow"

Medical Definition

paddle

noun

pad·​dle ˈpad-ᵊl 

: 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