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¹paddle

verb pad·dle \ˈpa-d^əl\

pad·dledpad·dling \ˈpad-liŋ, ˈpa-d^əl-iŋ\

Definition of PADDLE

intransitive verb

: to move the hands or feet about in shallow water

archaic : to use the hands or fingers in toying or caressing

: toddle

— pad·dler \ˈpad-lər, ˈpa-d^əl-ər\ noun

Origin of PADDLE

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1530

Rhymes with PADDLE

addle, raddle, saddle, spraddle, staddle, straddle

²paddle

noun

: a long, usually wooden pole that has a wide, flat part at the end and is used to move and steer a small boat (such as a canoe)

: an object with a short handle and a wide, flat part that is used to hit the ball in various games (such as table tennis)

: any one of various tools or devices that are wide, flat, and thin

Full Definition of PADDLE

a : a usually wooden implement that has a long handle and a broad flattened blade and that is used to propel and steer a small craft (as a canoe)

b : an implement often with a short handle and a broad flat blade that is used for stirring, mixing, or hitting; especially : one used to hit a ball in any of various games (as table tennis)

c : a small usually numbered sign that is raised by a bidder at an auction to signal a bid

d : a flat electrode that is the part of a defibrillator placed on the chest of a patient and through which a shock of electricity is discharged

a : any of the broad boards at the circumference of a paddle wheel or waterwheel

b : any of the broad blades attached to a shaft (as in an ice cream machine) and used for stirring

: a computer input device with a dial used to control linear movement of a cursor on a computer display

See paddle defined for English-language learners

Origin of PADDLE

Middle English padell spade-shaped tool for cleaning a plow

First Known Use: 1624

Rhymes with PADDLE

addle, raddle, saddle, straddle

³paddle

verb

pad·dledpad·dling \ˈpad-liŋ, ˈpa-d^əl-iŋ\

Definition of PADDLE

intransitive verb

: to go on or through water by or as if by means of a paddle or paddle wheel

transitive verb

a : to propel by a paddle

b : to transport in a paddled craft <paddled us to shore in his canoe>

a : to beat or stir with or as if with a paddle (as in washing or dyeing)

b : to punish by or as if by beating with a paddle

— pad·dler \ˈpad-lər, ˈpa-d^əl-ər\ noun

First Known Use of PADDLE

1677

PADDLE Defined for Kids

¹paddle

verb pad·dle \ˈpa-d^əl\

pad·dledpad·dling

Definition of PADDLE for Kids

: to move or drive forward with an instrument like an oar or with short quick movements of hands and feet

: to stir, mix, or beat with a paddle

²paddle

noun

Definition of PADDLE for Kids

: an instrument like an oar used in moving and steering a small boat (as a canoe)

: an implement having a broad flat end and used for beating, mixing, or hitting

: one of the broad boards at the outer edge of a waterwheel or a paddle wheel

³paddle

verb

paddledpaddling

Definition of PADDLE for Kids

: to move or splash about in the water

Medical Dictionary

paddle

noun pad·dle \ˈpad-^əl\

Medical Definition of PADDLE

: a flat electrode that is the part of a defibrillator placed on the chest of a patient and through which a shock of electricity is discharged—called also paddle electrode