Definitions
01an enclosed field for animals
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Agriculture Formal
n. A small field with a fence where animals, especially horses, can stay and eat grass.
n. An enclosed area of grassland used for the pasturing, exercising, or containment of livestock, most commonly associated with equine management.
“The farmer led the horses into the paddock for the night.”
“Sustainable land management requires rotating the herd between the north and south paddock to prevent overgrazing.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'in' or 'into'.
Antonyms
02a preparation area at a race track
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports Technical
n. An area at a race track where horses or cars are gathered and prepared before a race begins.
n. A designated enclosure at a sporting venue, particularly in horse racing or motorsports, where competitors, support staff, and vehicles assemble for preparation and inspection.
“Fans gathered near the paddock to see the drivers before the race.”
“Technical inspectors conducted a thorough review of the engine specifications within the paddock area.”
Usage
Commonly used in the context of horse racing and general motorsports.
Synonyms
03Formula 1 hospitality and media zone
C1 · Advanced Countable noun FORMULA 1 Technical
n. A private area at a Formula 1 race where teams, guests, and media stay during the event.
n. The restricted-access hub of a Formula 1 Grand Prix, encompassing team motorhomes, hospitality suites, and media centers, serving as the operational and social heart of the event.
“Only people with special passes are allowed to enter the F1 paddock.”
“The paddock was buzzing with rumors about driver transfers and new technical regulations for the upcoming season.”
Usage
Frequently used as a collective noun for the F1 community or the physical space itself.
Pitfall
the paddocks
the paddock
In Formula 1, the term is usually used in the singular to refer to the entire restricted zone.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Christian Horner stepped back inside the Formula One paddock on Sunday for the first time since he was sacked as Red Bull team boss a year ago and said a full return would depend on whether he could be a winner again.” “Many horses are kept alone in confined paddocks, with no room to roam, limited sensory input, and electric barriers designed to minimize interaction.” “It shares a paddock with its parents, Christina and Tenzi, as well as white rhinos, Grevy's zebra and ostrich.” “These ultra-premium tickets grant access to the Paddock Club, the heart of every Grand Prix.” Etymology
The noun is almost certainly a variant of dialectal British parrock (“enclosure; park; croft, small field, paddock”), from Middle English parrok, parrock (“enclosed pasture, paddock; coop; feeding stall; cabin, hut”) [and other forms], from Old English pearroc, pearruc (“fence used to enclose a space; area enclosed by such a fence, enclosure”), from Proto-West Germanic parruk (“enclosure; pen for animals”), from Proto-Germanic parrukaz (“fence; enclosure”); further etymology uncertain, perhaps related to Proto-Germanic barō (“bar, beam; barrier”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European bʰerH- (“to pierce; to strike”). Equivalent to park + -ock. Doublet of park. The verb is derived from the noun. Cognates * Danish park (“pond”) * Dutch perk (“flowerbed; garden; pen”) * German Pferch (“sheepfold, sheep-pen”)
From Middle English paddok, paddoke (“frog; toad”) [and other forms], from pad, pade (“frog; toad”) + -ok (diminutive suffix). Pad, pade is derived from Old English pada, padda, padde, from Proto-West Germanic paddā, from Proto-Germanic paddǭ (“toad”); further etymology uncertain, possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰew- (“to swell”). The English word is analysable as pad (“(Britain, dialectal) frog; toad”) + -ock (suffix forming nouns, originally with diminutive senses). Sense 2 (“sledge”) is probably from the supposed resemblance of the object to a frog or toad.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0