paddle Meaning & Definition
What Does Paddle Mean?
Paddle is used as a noun meaning A two-handed implement consisting of a shaft with one or two blades attached to the end(s) used to propel a canoe, kayak or a small boat. A paddle is unattached to the boat and freely operated with the hands, compared with an oar which is attached to the boat at a pivot point. A single-bladed version is typically used on canoes and some other small boats. A double-bladed version with blades at each end of the shaft is used for kayaking. It can also mean A single-bladed version is typically used on canoes and some other small boats. As a verb, it means To propel something through water with a paddle, oar, hands, etc. As a verb, it means To walk or dabble playfully in shallow water, especially at the seaside.
Paddle: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈpædl̩/ |
| Synonyms | totter, toddle and coggle |
| Plural | paddles |
| Verb forms | paddles, paddling, paddled |
Paddle Definition (Noun)
- A two-handed implement consisting of a shaft with one or two blades attached to the end(s) used to propel a canoe, kayak or a small boat. A paddle is unattached to the boat and freely operated with the hands, compared with an oar which is attached to the boat at a pivot point. A single-bladed version is typically used on canoes and some other small boats. A double-bladed version with blades at each end of the shaft is used for kayaking.
- A single-bladed version is typically used on canoes and some other small boats.
- A double-bladed version with blades at each end of the shaft is used for kayaking.
- The use of a paddle to propel a boat; a session of paddling.
We had a nice paddle this morning.
- A slat of a paddleboat's wheel.
- A paddlewheel.
- A blade of a waterwheel.
- A game controller with a round wheel used to control player movement along one axis of the video screen.
- A meandering walk or dabble through shallow water, especially at the seaside.
- A kitchen utensil shaped like a paddle and used for mixing, beating etc.
- A broad, flat spanking implement.
The paddle practically ousted the British cane for spankings in the independent US.
- A broad, flat device used in striking the ball, analogous to a racket in tennis.
- A flat board with a number of holes or indentations, used to carry small alcoholic drinks such as shots.
- A flat limb of an aquatic animal, adapted for swimming.
A sea turtle's paddles make it swim almost as fast as land tortoises are slow.
- In a sluice, a panel that controls the flow of water.
- A handheld electrode used for defibrillation or cardioversion.
- A flipper in a pinball machine.
- A person's hand.
- A flap of attached skin that has been cut away from a wound.
- Alternative form of padel.
Paddle as a Verb
- To propel something through water with a paddle, oar, hands, etc.
- To row a boat with less than one's full capacity.
- To spank with a paddle.
- To pat or stroke amorously or gently.
- To tread upon; to trample.
Verb
- To walk or dabble playfully in shallow water, especially at the seaside.
- To dog paddle in water.
- To toddle.
- To toy or caress using hands or fingers.
Noun
- A two-handed, single-bladed oar used to propel a canoe or a small boat.
- A double-bladed oar used for kayaking.
- Time spent on paddling.
We had a nice paddle this morning.
- A bat-shaped spanking implement
The paddle practically ousted the British cane for spankings in the independent US.
- A ping-pong bat.
- A group of inerts
- A handheld defibrillation/cardioversion electrode
- Hand
- Padel (sport)
Synonyms of Paddle
Paddle synonyms and antonyms →Paddle in a Sentence
We had a nice paddle this morning.
The paddle practically ousted the British cane for spankings in the independent US.
A sea turtle's paddles make it swim almost as fast as land tortoises are slow.
Word Forms & Grammar
paddle (countable and uncountable, plural paddles)
paddle (third-person singular simple present paddles, present participle paddling, simple past and past participle paddled)
Words That Rhyme With Paddle
Origin of Paddle
Origin 1: Partly from the verb paddle ("to splash, dabble"; see below) and partly from Middle English padell (“small spade”). Middle English padell is from Medieval Latin padela, itself of uncertain origin: perhaps an alteration of Middle English *spaddle (see also spaddle), a diminutive of spade; or from Latin patella (“pan, plate”), the diminutive of patina, or a merger of the two. Compare Ancient Greek πηδάλιον (pēdálion, “rudder, steering oar”), derived from πηδόν (pēdón, “the blade of an oar; an oar”).
Origin 2: Recorded since 1530, probably cognate with Low German paddeln (“to tramp about”), frequentative form of padjen (“to tramp, run in short steps”), from pad (also in Dutch dialects). Compare also Saterland Frisian paddelje (“to paddle”).
Paddle: Your Questions Answered
Is paddle a noun or a verb?
Paddle is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for paddle?
You can replace paddle with words such as totter, toddle and coggle. See the full list of paddle synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of paddle?
The plural of paddle is paddles.
What is the past tense of paddle?
The past tense of paddle is paddled. The present participle is paddling.