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
paddled; paddling
ˈpad-liŋ 
ˈpa-dᵊl-iŋ
: to go on or through water by or as if by means of a paddle or paddle wheel
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
paddled; paddling
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
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
Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024
For a bonus adventure, paddle over to Crowninshield Island, a five-acre island off Marblehead that boasts a sandy beach, hiking trails, and tidal pools.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024
Within it, co-founders Christy Howden and Leslie White created a place for pickleball lovers of different skill levels to come together and play the sport — which resembles tennis but played on a smaller court with a paddle instead of a racket.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
All sent to the front wheels thru a 10 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, with intelligent traction management.
—Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
There are many kayaks designed specifically for fishing, from paddle options to pedal options to motor options.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
Its steering is textured and telepathically direct, braking power is immense, and gear shifts using the paddles are brutally mechanical.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024
Visitors enjoy climbing and gliding down the dunes on sand boards, swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
The Māori hurled their canoe paddles at the British, who responded by firing at them.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Guests also should take the chance to try their hand at some traditional Hawaiian activities, of which there are so many throughout the week, like wood carving, lei making, hula, ukulele, and canoe paddling.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024
Each team would paddle board together to reach a chest, attach it to their board to bring it back to shore, then reveal its value, host Joe Manganiello explained.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
Avid 4 offers campers various biking, climbing, hiking and paddling experiences in beautiful settings around the Bay Area and the Sierra mountains.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
The same friend got into a kayak and paddled toward the vehicle, and another friend swam to the car, climbing on top of it and trying to reach Chao, officials stated in the report.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Most waded into the lake, though the couple and others paddled where the water reached up to about a foot (0.3 meters) deep in parts.
—Ty O'Neil, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2024
The options for outdoor adventures are seemingly endless in this corner of the world, from stand-up paddling along the Colorado River to hiking, canyoneering, and mountain biking while taking in the signature ochre rock formations.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024
Jasper Village is an ideal spot to spend the night or even a couple of days hiking the trails of Maligne Canyon, paddling one of the many lakes, soaking at Miette Hot Springs or chilling in one of the famous red chairs.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
Noun
In addition to the two paddles, the kit also comes with a carrying bag and four balls.
—Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024
For a bonus adventure, paddle over to Crowninshield Island, a five-acre island off Marblehead that boasts a sandy beach, hiking trails, and tidal pools.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 Apr. 2024
Within it, co-founders Christy Howden and Leslie White created a place for pickleball lovers of different skill levels to come together and play the sport — which resembles tennis but played on a smaller court with a paddle instead of a racket.
—Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
All sent to the front wheels thru a 10 speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, with intelligent traction management.
—Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
There are many kayaks designed specifically for fishing, from paddle options to pedal options to motor options.
—Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 3 Apr. 2024
Its steering is textured and telepathically direct, braking power is immense, and gear shifts using the paddles are brutally mechanical.
—Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024
Visitors enjoy climbing and gliding down the dunes on sand boards, swimming, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
—Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2024
The Māori hurled their canoe paddles at the British, who responded by firing at them.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
Verb
At the same time, groups like Friends of the Detroit River want to revive the natural flow and beauty of metro-Detroit’s waterways, large and small, to bring back these places for fishing, paddling and just strolling on waterside paths.
—Bill Laytner, Detroit Free Press, 11 Apr. 2024
Guests also should take the chance to try their hand at some traditional Hawaiian activities, of which there are so many throughout the week, like wood carving, lei making, hula, ukulele, and canoe paddling.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024
Each team would paddle board together to reach a chest, attach it to their board to bring it back to shore, then reveal its value, host Joe Manganiello explained.
—Hannah Kirby, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024
Avid 4 offers campers various biking, climbing, hiking and paddling experiences in beautiful settings around the Bay Area and the Sierra mountains.
—Brittany Delay, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
The same friend got into a kayak and paddled toward the vehicle, and another friend swam to the car, climbing on top of it and trying to reach Chao, officials stated in the report.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Most waded into the lake, though the couple and others paddled where the water reached up to about a foot (0.3 meters) deep in parts.
—Ty O'Neil, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2024
The options for outdoor adventures are seemingly endless in this corner of the world, from stand-up paddling along the Colorado River to hiking, canyoneering, and mountain biking while taking in the signature ochre rock formations.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024
Jasper Village is an ideal spot to spend the night or even a couple of days hiking the trails of Maligne Canyon, paddling one of the many lakes, soaking at Miette Hot Springs or chilling in one of the famous red chairs.
—Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paddle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Paddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paddle. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paddle
2 of 3 noun1
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
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