canoe Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle
  2. verb travel by canoe
    • canoe along the canal

WordNet


Ca*noe" noun
Etymology
Sp. canoa, fr. Caribbean canáoa.
Wordforms
plural Canoes
Definitions
  1. A boat used by rude nations, formed of trunk of a tree, excavated, by cutting of burning, into a suitable shape. It is propelled by a paddle or paddles, or sometimes by sail, and has no rudder.
    Others devised the boat of one tree, called the canoe. Raleigh.
  2. A boat made of bark or skins, used by savages.
    A birch canoe, with paddles, rising, falling, on the water. Longfellow.
  3. A light pleasure boat, especially designed for use by one who goes alone upon long excursions, including portage. It it propelled by a paddle, or by a small sail attached to a temporary mast.
Ca*noe" intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Canoed present participle & verbal noun Canoeing
Definitions
  1. To manage a canoe, or voyage in a canoe.

Webster 1913