paddy

noun pad·dy \ ˈpa-dē \

variants: or less commonly padi

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

Definition of paddy

plural paddies also padis

1 : rice; especially : threshed unmilled rice

2 : wet land in which rice is grown

See paddy defined for English-language learners

See paddy defined for kids

Recent Examples of paddy from the Web

Some researchers, such as Hinrich Schaefer of New Zealand’s National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, reckon that increasing numbers of cattle in India and China, along with more rice paddies in South-East Asia, are to blame.

— The Economist, "Scientists struggle to explain a worrying rise in atmospheric methane," 28 Apr. 2018
This involved building an octagon of tubing around a section of a rice paddy and injecting CO2 while still using the standard commercial applications of fertilizer and pesticides to simulate real-world growth.

— umair irfan, Vox, "The weird power of rising carbon dioxide to make rice less nutritious," 24 May 2018
The survivors soon learned that taller, darker green patches of rice shoots in the paddies marked the spots where the dead had fallen.

— Time, "'They Couldn't Hide all the Death.' 5 More Rohingya Mass Graves Found in Myanmar," 2 Feb. 2018
The statues stand in patches of Juniper bushes and are separated by polished granite strips, which give a semblance of order and symbolize the rice paddies of Korea.

— julie gallant, Ramona Sentinel, "Veterans return from Honor Flight trip," 16 May 2018
All in all, the small mare carried 386 rounds of ammunition, weighing almost 4,000 kilograms, by walking more than 35 miles through rice paddies and steep mountain trails.

— danielle rossingh, CNN, "The legend of Sergeant Reckless, America's greatest war horse," 15 May 2018
Was Hillary Clinton supposed to be giving a kick back paddy whack, give a dog a bone by somebody?

— Fox News, "Meadows on possibility a spy infiltrated the Trump campaign," 13 May 2018
The heartland and southern provinces of South Korea are filled with lush hills, landscaped with rice paddies, and dotted with the occasional temple.

— chaney kwak, Condé Nast Traveler, "Where to Eat in Jeolla, South Korea's Best Food Region," 1 Feb. 2018
After a day spent gliding along the rice paddies and stilt houses of the Mekong River, including a visit with a local family, all 60 of us convened in the Viking Mekong’s dining room for a Cambodian family-style dinner.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Take me to the river: The other (less blackjack, more bicycling) side of cruising," 8 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of paddy

Malay padi

First Known Use: 1623

in the meaning defined at sense 1

Paddy

noun Pad·dy \ ˈpa-dē \

Definition of Paddy

plural Paddies

slang, often disparaging + offensive

: irishman

Origin and Etymology of paddy

from Paddy, Hiberno-English nickname for Patrick

First Known Use: 1714

in the meaning defined above

PADDY Defined for English Language Learners

paddy

noun

Definition of paddy for English Language Learners

: a wet field where rice is grown

PADDY Defined for Kids

paddy

noun pad·dy \ ˈpa-dē \

Definition of paddy for Students

plural paddies

: wet land in which rice is grown

Learn More about paddy

See words that rhyme with paddy Spanish Central: Translation of paddy Nglish: Translation of paddy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of paddy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paddy

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paddy

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Origin and Etymology of paddy

Paddy

Definition of Paddy

Origin and Etymology of paddy

PADDY Defined for English Language Learners

paddy

Definition of paddy for English Language Learners

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paddy

Definition of paddy for Students

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