Definition

Noun: A boat paddle is a short, light oar. It is used without an oarlock (a pivot point on the side of a boat) to propel and steer a canoe or a small boat by hand.

Usage

A boat paddle is a handheld tool for moving a small watercraft through the water. Unlike a traditional oar used in rowing, a paddle is not fixed to the boat. The user dips one end of the paddle into the water and pulls or pushes it to create forward or turning motion.

Examples

• The kayaker dipped her boat paddle silently into the calm lake.
• He lost his boat paddle in the rapids and had to steer with his hands.
• For your safety, always secure your boat paddle to the canoe with a leash.

Advanced Usage

• "To paddle one's own canoe": This idiom means to be independent and self-reliant, to manage one's own affairs. It derives from the literal action of using a paddle to steer a canoe alone.
  • After graduation, it was time for him to paddle his own canoe.

Variants and Related Words

• Paddle (noun/verb): The more common, general term. "Boat paddle" specifies the type of paddle.
  • We need a paddle for the canoe. / She learned to paddle effectively.
• Oar (noun): A longer implement typically used in rowing, where it is secured in an oarlock on the gunwale of a boat.
• Canoe paddle, Kayak paddle: Specific types of boat paddles designed for those particular crafts.

Synonyms

• Blade (when referring specifically to the flat, wide part of the paddle that enters the water).
• Sweep (a type of long paddle stroke, or can refer to the paddle used for it).

Related Phrases

• Paddle stroke: The complete motion of putting the paddle in the water, pulling it, and lifting it out.
• Feather the paddle: To rotate the paddle blade so it slices through the air horizontally on the recovery stroke, reducing wind resistance.

Noun

1. a short light oar used without an oarlock to propel a canoe or small boat