paddleboat

noun

pad·​dle·​boat ˈpa-dᵊl-ˌbōt 

1

: a boat propelled by one or more large paddle wheels typically powered by a steam engine

… a new sidewheel paddleboat of the sort that once carried New Yorkers on harbor and Hudson River trips.

—Richard F. Shepard

2

US : a small recreational boat powered by pedals that turn a paddle wheel

Paddleboats are curious vessels. They can be steered and they're powered by foot pedals so the effect is something like riding a bicycle on water.

—Daniel Chang

called also pedal boat, (British) pedalo

Examples of paddleboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only paddleboats will be available opening weekend, a park district news release said. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026

Stillwater River Boats offers seasonal tours of the St. Croix on an old-fashioned paddleboat, including sightseeing and jazz cruises. —Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 2026

Watch paddleboats race across the Tidal Basin, cheer on your March Madness favorites, attend a film festival or explore Georgetown’s art galleries. —Adele Chapin, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2026

Nelson plays the song on a paddleboat as Peacemaker and Harcourt have a moment. —Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 24 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for paddleboat

• anecdote
• antidote
• asymptote
• creosote
• dimethoate
• epidote
• ferryboat
• motorboat
• overcoat
• petticoat
• riverboat
• undercoat