paddock

noun

pad·​dock ˈpa-dək 

-dik

1

a

: a usually enclosed area used especially for pasturing or exercising animals

led the sheep into the paddock

especially : an enclosure where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a race

b

Australia and New Zealand : an often enclosed field

2

: an area at an automobile racecourse where racing cars are parked

Examples of paddock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In November 1932, the harsh southern sun beat down on an empty paddock in Western Australia. —Tom Hawking, Popular Science, 25 Feb. 2026

This enchanting 500-year-old Grade II cottage is set in 12 acres of mature gardens and land – including paddocks, a kitchen garden, and access with frontage on the River Arun (including fishing rights), ideal for kayaking and other water pursuits. —The Week Uk, TheWeek, 20 Feb. 2026

And everywhere in the F1 paddock, there’s a desire to downplay possible advantages and keep the competition guessing through this testing period. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026

Cooper said the contract extension gives Visa more access to the team, its drivers, the paddock and hospitality areas. —Jenna Fryer, Fortune, 19 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English parrok, from Old English pearroc, from Medieval Latin parricus

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for paddock

• haddock
• dyadic
• faradic
• monadic
• nomadic
• sporadic
• triadic

Kids Definition

paddock

noun

pad·​dock ˈpad-ək 

-ik

1

: an enclosed area where animals are put to eat grass or to exercise

2

: an enclosed area where racehorses are saddled and paraded before moving to the racetrack