canoe

1 of 2

noun

ca·​noe kə-ˈnü 

: a light narrow boat with both ends sharp that is usually propelled by paddling

canoe

2 of 2

verb

canoed; canoeing

transitive verb

: to transport in a canoe

also : to travel by canoe down (a river)

intransitive verb

: to go or travel in a canoe

canoeable

kə-ˈnü-ə-bəl 

adjective

canoeist

kə-ˈnü-ist 

noun

canoer

kə-ˈnü-ər 

noun

Examples of canoe in a Sentence

Verb

He canoed down the river to the camp.

They canoed part of the Colorado River this summer.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Cast a line off the fishing pier, launch a canoe, or pack a picnic to enjoy under a pavilion. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2024

Huge canoes!’ Generally speaking, wayfinding is the act of orienting and traveling from place to place. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 28 Nov. 2024

Verb

Older kids and teenagers often enjoy spear-throwing with a Maasai warrior, horseback riding, hot-air balloon rides, and canoeing in the Okavango Delta. —Maija De Rijk-Uys, Travel + Leisure, 20 Nov. 2024

Well, British adventurer Ben Kilner recently canoed the trip in one direction then triked it in the other, using the same amphibious vehicle for both legs of the journey. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from New Latin canoa, from Spanish, from Arawakan, of Cariban origin; akin to Carib kana:wa canoe

First Known Use

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1794, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

canoe

1 of 2 noun

ca·​noe kə-ˈnü 

: a long light narrow boat with pointed ends and curved sides that is usually moved by someone using a paddle

canoe

2 of 2 verb

canoed; canoeing

: to travel or carry in a canoe

canoeist

-ˈnü-əst 

noun