paddle

A short pole with a wide, flat end used to move a small boat through water.

• He dropped his paddle in the water.
• Each canoe needs two paddles.
• Hold the paddle with both hands.

Common phrases: canoe paddle, wooden paddle, paddle blade

A period of moving a small boat through water using a pole with a flat end.

• We went for a paddle on the lake.
• Our morning paddle lasted an hour.
• Would you like a gentle paddle downriver?

Common phrases: a short paddle, paddle downriver, paddle on something

A short walk or time spent playing in water that is not deep.

• The children had a paddle in the sea.
• A quick paddle cooled my feet.
• We stopped for a paddle in the stream.

Similar words: wade

Common phrases: have a paddle, paddle in something, a quick paddle

A small, flat object with a handle used to hit a ball in certain games.

• She hit the ball with her paddle.
• Both players bought new paddles.
• This paddle has a comfortable handle.

Similar words: bat, racket

Common phrases: table tennis paddle, pickleball paddle, paddle handle

A wide, flat object used to hit someone as punishment.

• The old school displayed a wooden paddle.
• The principal once used a paddle for punishment.
• Such paddles are now banned in many schools.

Common phrases: wooden paddle, punishment paddle, paddle for spanking

To move a boat through water using a flat-ended pole, or move yourself through water with your hands.

• We paddle across the lake every morning.
• She paddled the canoe towards the island.
• Can you paddle back to shore?

How to use it: paddle across/down something (They paddled down the river.); paddle something (He paddled the canoe to the bank.)

Similar words: row

Common phrases: paddle a canoe, paddle across something, paddle to shore

To walk or play in water that is not deep.

• The children paddle in the sea.
• We paddled barefoot in the stream.
• Is the water warm enough to paddle?

How to use it: paddle in something (They paddled in the shallow pool.)

Similar words: wade

Common phrases: paddle in something, paddle in the sea

To hit someone on the bottom with a wide, flat object, usually as punishment.

• The principal threatened to paddle the boy.
• Some schools once paddled children for breaking rules.
• He remembered being paddled as a child.

Similar words: spank

Common phrases: paddle someone, paddle a child