paddock

noun

pad·​dock ˈpa-dək 

-dik

1

a

: a usually enclosed area used especially for pasturing or exercising animals

led the sheep into the paddock

especially : an enclosure where racehorses are saddled and paraded before a race

b

Australia and New Zealand : an often enclosed field

2

: an area at an automobile racecourse where racing cars are parked

Examples of paddock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The countdown is on as the horses approach the paddock with a few final days of prep until the top Thoroughbreds move into the starting gate for the 41st Breeders’ Cup World Championships. —Jay Ginsbach, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024

When a client enters the paddock, the horses immediately have their eyes on them. —Kelly Bowman, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024

Despite suggestions from some in the paddock that the FIA should interview Red Bull staff or pursue whistleblowers, Tombazis was reluctant to follow that path. —Kanzah Maktoum, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024

With this technique, the horses make their own choices and are free to move throughout the paddock, closer or further away from the client. —Kelly Bowman, CNN, 10 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English parrok, from Old English pearroc, from Medieval Latin parricus

First Known Use

1547, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

paddock

noun

pad·​dock ˈpad-ək 

-ik

1

: an enclosed area where animals are put to eat grass or to exercise

2

: an enclosed area where racehorses are saddled and paraded before moving to the racetrack