1
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 (such 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 (such 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
2
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
3
: a computer input device with a dial used to control linear movement of a cursor on a computer display
paddled; paddling
ˈpad-liŋ 
ˈpa-dᵊl-iŋ
: to go on or through water by or as if by means of a paddle or paddle wheel
1
a
: to propel by a paddle
b
: to transport in a paddled craft
paddled us to shore in his canoe
2
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
paddled; paddling
1
: to move the hands or feet about in shallow water
2
: toddle
3
archaic
: to use the hands or fingers in toying or caressing
Synonyms
Examples of paddle in a Sentence
Noun
Use the mixer's paddle attachment to mix the dough.
The potter used a paddle to shape the clay.
Verb (1)
I like to paddle on the river for exercise and relaxation
back in those times it was acceptable for teachers to paddle misbehaving students
Recent Examples on the Web
Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Accommodating 12 guests with a crew of 12, the yacht holds a collection of the owner’s artwork and carries scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, waterskis, donuts and wakeboards.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
The Scouts lobbied hard for the span to bear Beard’s name, with some paddling down the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers to carry petitions to the governor in Frankfort, Kentucky, the Cincinnati Post reported at the time.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paddle 
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Noun
Summertime visits necessitate trips to swim at Barton Springs and paddle board on Lady Bird Lake, but dining on great breakfast tacos and barbecue and taking advantage of the excellent live music scene are year-round pursuits.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024
Accommodating 12 guests with a crew of 12, the yacht holds a collection of the owner’s artwork and carries scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, waterskis, donuts and wakeboards.
—Chrissie McClatchie, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
Verb
The two-bedroom, five-bed, and one-bathroom Chattanooga-adjacent house can welcome up to eight guests with plenty of water adventures onsite, from angling on the Tennessee riverbank to paddling with the property’s rentable kayaks.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
The Scouts lobbied hard for the span to bear Beard’s name, with some paddling down the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers to carry petitions to the governor in Frankfort, Kentucky, the Cincinnati Post reported at the time.
—Patricia Gallagher Newberry, The Enquirer, 1 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for paddle
Articles Related to paddle
Dictionary Entries Near paddle
Cite this Entry
“Paddle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paddle. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
paddle
2 of 3 noun1
a
: an instrument with a flat blade to move and steer a small boat (as a canoe)
b
: an instrument used for stirring, mixing, or hitting
c
: a short bat with a broad flat blade used to hit the ball in various games (as table tennis)
2
: one of the broad boards at the outer rim of a paddle wheel or waterwheel
paddle
3 of 3 verb
paddled; paddling
ˈpad-liŋ
-ᵊl-iŋ
1
: to move or drive forward with or as if with a paddle
2
: to stir or mix with a paddle
3
: to beat with or as if with a paddle
Etymology
Verb
origin unknown
Noun
Middle English padell "a device for cleaning a plow"
Medical Definition
paddle
noun
pad·dle
ˈpad-ᵊl
: 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
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