ENGLISH
REFERENCE

canoe

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //kəˈnu// UK //kənˈuː// ca·noe Slang

n. a light, narrow boat that you move through the water using a paddle. It usually has pointed ends and is open at the top.

n. a lightweight, narrow watercraft, typically pointed at both ends and propelled by one or more seated or kneeling paddlers using single-bladed paddles.


SIMPLE

We spent the afternoon paddling a canoe across the lake.

CONTEXTUAL

The summer camp offers lessons on how to safely steer a canoe in moving water.

COMPLEX

The indigenous peoples of the region traditionally carved each canoe from a single cedar trunk, creating a vessel both durable and light enough for portage between inland waterways.

Origin

Adopted in 16th century from Spanish canoa, from Taíno kanowa (“dugout canoe”) (compare Lokono kanoa (“canoe”), Wayuu anuwa, anua (“boat, canoe”)), from Proto-Arawak kanawa.

Idioms1 entry

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