paddleboat
noun
pad·dle·boat
ˈpa-dᵊl-ˌbōt 
1
: a boat propelled by one or more large paddle wheels typically powered by a steam engine
… a new sidewheel paddleboat of the sort that once carried New Yorkers on harbor and Hudson River trips.—
Richard F. Shepard
Richard F. Shepard2
US
: a small recreational boat powered by pedals that turn a paddle wheel
Paddleboats are curious vessels. They can be steered and they're powered by foot pedals so the effect is something like riding a bicycle on water.—Daniel Chang
Daniel Changcalled also pedal boat, (British) pedalo
Examples of paddleboat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the nation’s largest urban parks, this 1,300-acre expanse has golf, paddleboats, a live oak estimated to be 800 years old, a botanical garden, and the New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA).
—
Jenny Adams,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
The fee covers swan paddleboat rentals, nightly movies and s'mores on the beach, fitness classes, and in-room Wi-Fi, among other inclusions.
—
Jacqueline Dole,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
Only paddleboats will be available opening weekend, a park district news release said.
—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Watch paddleboats race across the Tidal Basin, cheer on your March Madness favorites, attend a film festival or explore Georgetown’s art galleries.
—
Adele Chapin,
Washington Post,
19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paddleboat
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Jenny Adams,
Travel + Leisure,
24 June 2026
The fee covers swan paddleboat rentals, nightly movies and s'mores on the beach, fitness classes, and in-room Wi-Fi, among other inclusions.
—
Jacqueline Dole,
Southern Living,
22 May 2026
Only paddleboats will be available opening weekend, a park district news release said.
—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
7 May 2026
Watch paddleboats race across the Tidal Basin, cheer on your March Madness favorites, attend a film festival or explore Georgetown’s art galleries.
—
Adele Chapin,
Washington Post,
19 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for paddleboat
Cite this Entry
“Paddleboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paddleboat. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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