paddock

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noun pad·dock \ ˈpa-dək , -dik \

Definition of paddock

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

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Recent Examples of paddock from the Web

Warriors coach Steve Kerr mugged for pictures with Baffert and the NBA championship trophy in the paddock.

— bryce miller, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Arrogate's near miss at Del Mar breathes new life into Breeders' Cup," 19 Aug. 2017
Wellness is nothing new in Santa Fe, but harnessing the power of the herd and horses in an open paddock helps guests gain insight into their own personalities—in the season of the eclipse, even the most ardent new-age cynics could become believers.

— kate donnelly, CNT, "Why You Should Travel to Santa Fe Now," 18 Aug. 2017
In the past, the only way to see these Thoroughbreds was through a select few tour operators who were allowed privileged access to some of the farms' barns and paddocks.

— patti nickell, chicagotribune.com, "Meet American Pharaoh, other champion horses through Kentucky equestrian initiative," 3 Aug. 2017
The Chip Ganassi Racing star has been in a class of his own this year, with his five podiums the most in the paddock — and his most since 2013 (six).

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "5 things I think as IndyCar heads to Toronto," 13 July 2017
These were put on display in the paddock adjacent to Goodwood’s hill-climb course, accompanied by original, toy-size versions of each car and a 1:1-scale remote control, just for fun.

— alexander stoklosa, Car and Driver, "Children of the ’80s! Three Full-Size Tamiya R/C Cars Ran the Goodwood Hill-Climb [Video]," 6 July 2017
Five or six families are ushered into a large steel paddock—a kind of no-man’s-land between two nations—where they are permitted to embrace for a few minutes.

— laura reston, New Republic, "Five Minutes of Family," 3 July 2017
RV parking will be on the paddock area near the casino. •

— perry a. farrell, Detroit Free Press, "Here's everything you need to know about Detroit's Ford Fireworks," 22 June 2017
Among the other veterans hunting for their first wins are Kaanan and Ryan Hunter-Reay, who, along with Charlie Kimball, have been the two unluckiest drivers in the paddock.

— jim ayello, Indianapolis Star, "Insider: 5 things I think as IndyCar heads to Road America," 22 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paddock.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of paddock

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1547

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Other Equestrian Terms

canter, cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, router, skirt, tack

PADDOCK Defined for English Language Learners

paddock

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noun

Definition of paddock for English Language Learners

: a small field where animals (such as horses) are kept
: an enclosed area at a race track where horses, dogs, etc., are kept before a race

PADDOCK Defined for Kids

paddock

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noun pad·dock \ ˈpa-dək \

Definition of paddock for Students

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

2 :an enclosed area where racehorses are saddled and paraded

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See words that rhyme with paddock Spanish Central: Translation of paddock Nglish: Translation of paddock for Spanish speakers

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