paddles
/ˈpædəlz/
NOUN
1. Implements used to propel boats
Flat-bladed implements used to move canoes, kayaks, or other small watercraft through water.
1.1. Canoe and small-boat paddles
Single-bladed implements used to propel and steer canoes or small boats.
Synonyms
- oars
- blades
Examples
- The paddles rested inside the canoe.
- The rowers lifted their paddles before setting off.
Related Words
1.2. Kayaking implements
Double-bladed implements used by kayakers to propel and steer their kayaks.
Synonyms
- kayak paddles
- double-bladed oars
Examples
- The kayakers raised their paddles before entering the river.
- Lightweight paddles are useful on long kayaking trips.
Related Words
NOUN
2. Flat implements used for striking
Flat, broad implements used to hit or beat someone, especially as a form of corporal punishment.
2.1. Spanking implements
Flat implements, usually made of wood, used to strike someone as a form of punishment.
Synonyms
- spanking boards
- spanking implements
Examples
- The museum displayed several antique paddles once used for corporal punishment.
Related Words
NOUN
3. Flat utensils used for mixing
Broad, flat kitchen implements used to stir, beat, fold, or mix ingredients.
3.1. Kitchen mixing tools
Paddle-shaped utensils used for mixing or beating food ingredients.
Synonyms
- stirrers
- mixing tools
Examples
- The baker used wooden paddles to mix the dough.
Related Words
- spatulas
- wooden spoons
- mixers
- beaters
NOUN
4. Table-tennis bats
Flat, usually wooden or composite implements covered with rubber and used to strike a ball in table tennis.
4.1. Table-tennis equipment
Bats used by players to hit the ball during a game of table tennis or ping-pong.
Synonyms
- ping-pong bats
- table-tennis bats
Examples
- The players placed their paddles on the table between games.
Related Words
- rackets
- table tennis
- ping-pong
- rubber
NOUN
5. Flat limbs of aquatic animals
Broad, flattened limbs or appendages adapted to propel aquatic animals through water.
5.1. Swimming appendages
Flattened limbs of aquatic animals, such as turtles or seals, used for swimming.
Synonyms
- flippers
Examples
- The seals moved through the water with powerful strokes of their paddles.
Related Words
- fins
- webbed feet
- appendages
- swimming limbs
NOUN
6. Panels controlling water flow
Movable panels installed in water channels or sluices to regulate the flow of water.
6.1. Water-control panels
Movable gates or panels used to regulate the passage of water through a sluice.
Synonyms
- gates
- sluice gates
Examples
- The workers raised the paddles to increase the flow of water.
Related Words
- sluices
- valves
- water channels
- flow regulators
NOUN
7. Blades of paddle wheels and waterwheels
Flat projecting parts attached to a rotating wheel that push against water to generate movement or power.
7.1. Paddle-wheel blades
Individual flat blades or slats attached to a paddle wheel and used to propel a boat.
Synonyms
- blades
- slats
Examples
- Several paddles on the boat's wheel needed repair.
Related Words
- paddle wheels
- sternwheelers
- sidewheelers
- waterwheels
7.2. Waterwheel blades
Flat components of a waterwheel that interact with flowing water to rotate the wheel.
Synonyms
- blades
- vanes
Examples
- The wooden paddles turned as water flowed over the wheel.
Related Words
- waterwheels
- turbines
- rotors
NOUN
8. Game controllers
Hand-operated controllers, often equipped with a rotating knob, used to control movement along one axis in a video game.
8.1. Video-game control devices
Controllers with a rotary knob used to move an object horizontally or vertically on a game screen.
Synonyms
- game controllers
Examples
- The arcade machine had two paddles for controlling the game.
Related Words
- joysticks
- control knobs
- input devices
- video games
NOUN
9. Walks or activities in shallow water
Casual walks or playful movements through shallow water, especially along a beach or seaside.
9.1. Wading and splashing
Relaxed activities involving walking or splashing through shallow water.
Synonyms
Examples
- The children enjoyed their paddles in the shallow seaside water.
Related Words
- splashes
- shore walks
- bathing
- swimming
NOUN
10. Defibrillation electrodes
Handheld electrodes used to deliver electrical impulses to the heart during defibrillation or cardioversion.
10.1. Medical defibrillator electrodes
Electrodes placed against a patient's chest to deliver an electrical shock during cardiac treatment.
Synonyms
- defibrillator electrodes
Examples
- The medical team prepared the defibrillator paddles.
Related Words
- defibrillators
- cardioversion
- electrodes
- resuscitation
NOUN
11. Implements used in the sport of padel
Solid, perforated rackets used to hit the ball in the sport of padel.
11.1. Padel rackets
Solid-faced rackets used by players to strike the ball during a padel match.
Synonyms
- padel rackets
Examples
- The players checked their paddles before the padel match.
Related Words
VERB
12. Propelling boats through water
To move boats or other watercraft through water using paddles, oars, hands, or similar means.
12.1. Propelling a canoe or kayak
Moving a canoe, kayak, or small boat through water by repeatedly pushing a paddle against the water.
Synonyms
Examples
- They paddle their canoes across the lake every weekend.
- The kayakers paddle through the narrow river channel.
Related Words
- navigate
- steer
- propel
- boat
12.2. Rowing with reduced effort
Moving a boat through water using less than one's full rowing strength.
Synonyms
- row gently
- scull slowly
Examples
- They paddle slowly along the river to enjoy the scenery.
Related Words
- drift
- glide
- float
VERB
13. Striking with a paddle
To hit or beat someone with a flat implement, especially as a form of corporal punishment.
13.1. Spanking or beating
Striking someone repeatedly with a paddle as a form of punishment.
Synonyms
Examples
- The historical records describe how some schools paddle students as punishment.
Related Words
- strike
- hit
- punish
- chastise
- discipline
13.2. Attacking or beating forcefully
Hitting or assaulting someone repeatedly or violently.
Synonyms
Examples
- The attackers paddle their opponent in the exaggerated language of the old report.
Related Words
VERB
14. Touching or stroking gently
To touch, pat, or stroke someone or something gently or affectionately.
14.1. Gentle or affectionate touching
Moving the hands or fingers gently over someone or something in a soothing or affectionate manner.
Synonyms
Examples
- She paddles the puppy gently behind its ears.
Related Words
14.2. Handling or playing with something
Touching, handling, or manipulating something with the hands or fingers.
Synonyms
- toy with
- handle
- fondle
- manipulate
Examples
- The child paddles the soft fabric between her fingers.
Related Words
VERB
15. Treading or trampling upon something
To step on or walk over something, sometimes repeatedly or forcefully.
15.1. Trampling or stepping on
Walking over or crushing something underfoot.
Synonyms
- trample
- tread
- tromp
- stamp
Examples
- The animals paddle through the muddy ground.
Related Words
- step
- stomp
- crush
- walk
VERB
16. Walking or playing in shallow water
To walk, splash, or play in shallow water, especially near the seaside.
16.1. Wading and splashing
Moving through shallow water in a relaxed or playful manner.
Synonyms
Examples
- The children paddle in the shallow water near the beach.
Related Words
VERB
17. Walking with small, unsteady steps
To walk with short, uncertain steps, especially like a young child learning to walk.
17.1. Toddling
Moving forward with small, unsteady steps.
Synonyms
- toddle
- waddle
Examples
- The toddlers paddle across the room toward their parents.
Related Words
- shuffle
- stagger
- amble