Real Dictionary

paddle
countable noun: A paddle is a short pole with a wide flat part at one end or at both ends. You hold it in your hands and use it as an oar to move a small boat through water.
verb: If you paddle a boat, you move it through water using a paddle.
verb: If you paddle, you walk or stand in shallow water, for example at the edge of the sea, for pleasure.

paddle in American English 1
a relatively short pole with a broad blade at one end or sometimes both ends, held in the hands and used to propel and steer a canoe, kayak, etc.
to propel (a canoe, etc.) by means of a paddle or paddles
to propel a canoe, etc. by means of a paddle
intransitive verb: to propel or travel in a canoe or the like by using a paddle
noun: a short, flat bladed oar for propelling and steering a canoe or small boat, usually held by both hands and moved more or less through a vertical arc
transitive verb: to propel with a paddle

paddle in American English 2
to move the hands or feet about in the water, as in playing; dabble
intransitive verb: to move the feet or hands playfully in shallow water; dabble

paddle in British English 1
noun: a short light oar with a flat blade at one or both ends, used without a rowlock to propel a canoe or small boat
verb: to propel (a canoe, small boat, etc) with a paddle

paddle in British English 2
to walk or play barefoot in shallow water, mud, etc
noun: the act of paddling in water