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

2

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

called also pedal boat, (British) pedalo

Examples of paddleboat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Visit the butterfly garden at the Texas Discovery Gardens, paddleboat with a view of the Ferris wheel or explore one of the fair's museums. —Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024

His wife had to rescue him on a paddleboat before taking him to the hospital. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2024

Public feedback about the project sparked the idea to add a spot for people to access the water with paddleboats, Barron said. —Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 7 June 2024

Look for the distinctive blue label featuring Willow Ware china, a paddleboat, magnolia blooms, and a flying pelican. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 31 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1