paddle — A short pole with a flat wide end used for moving a small boat through water
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A short pole with a flat wide end used for moving a small boat through water
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpædl/
Example Sentences
- My kayak paddle broke, so I had to use my hands like a human windmill.
- The kids were paddling in the shallow pool, splashing water everywhere.
- He tried to paddle faster, but the duck still beat him to the shore.
paddle
NOUN[/ˈpædl/]
A short pole with a flat wide end used for moving a small boat through water

The canoe guide paddled across the calm lake at sunrise.

She used a paddle to steer the canoe through the river. (🛶 Canoe + 🪵 Paddle → Paddle)

They paddled, traveled down the river, and unraveled the mystery of the hidden island.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Paddle derives from Middle English 'padell', likely related to Latin 'patella' (small dish or pan). The term was applied to the flat, blade-like end of an oar due to its resemblance to a dish-shaped object.
Breakdown
patella (Latin: small dish) → padell (Middle English) → paddle (Early Modern English). The semantic shift reflects the visual similarity between the dish-like shape of the oar's blade and a shallow vessel.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My kayak paddle broke, so I had to use my hands like a human windmill.”
“The kids were paddling in the shallow pool, splashing water everywhere.”
“He tried to paddle faster, but the duck still beat him to the shore.”
“The guide showed us the proper technique to paddle efficiently.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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