paddle

pronunciation

How to pronounce paddle in British English: UK [ˈpædl]word uk audio image

How to pronounce paddle in American English: US [ˈpædl] word us audio image

  • Noun:
    small wooden bat with a flat surface; used for hitting balls in various games
    a blade of a paddle wheel or water wheel
    an instrument of punishment consisting of a flat board
    a short light oar used without an oarlock to propel a canoe or small boat
  • Verb:
    propel with a paddle
    play in or as if in water, as of small children
    swim like a dog in shallow water
    walk unsteadily
    give a spanking to; subject to a spanking
    stir with a paddle

Word Origin

paddle (n.)
c. 1400, padell "small spade," from Medieval Latin padela, of uncertain origin, perhaps from Latin patella "small pan, little dish, plate," diminutive of patina (see pan (n.)). Meaning "short oar with a wide blade" is from 1620s. As an instrument used for beating clothes (and slaves, and schoolboys), it is recorded from 1828, American English. Paddle-ball attested from 1935.
paddle (v.1)
"to dabble, wade in water," 1520s, probably cognate with Low German paddeln "tramp about," frequentative of padjen "to tramp, to run in short steps," from pad (v.). Related: Paddled; paddling. Meaning "to move in water by means of paddles" is a different word (see paddle (v.3)).
paddle (v.2)
"to beat with a paddle, spank," 1856, from paddle (n.). Related: Paddled; paddling.
paddle (v.3)
"to move in water by means of paddles," 1670s, from paddle (n.). To paddle one's (own) canoe "do for oneself" is from 1828.

Example

1. The six-sided paddle in the upper left of this image is curiosity 's high-gain antenna .
2. Having experienced this reference , henry 's task was to decide whether subsequent stirrings used the reference paddle or a different one .
3. Jane dropped her paddle in an uncharacteristic gesture of despair .
4. During the day , they paddle canoes , shoot arrows , go swimming and explore nature .
5. You hone your skill with a pen instead of a paddle , lay bare your soul on paper , and send it in to a magazine editor .

more: >How to Use "paddle" with Example Sentences