oar
Americannoun
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a long shaft with a broad blade at one end, used as a lever for rowing or otherwise propelling or steering a boat.
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something resembling this or having a similar purpose.
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a person who rows; oarsman.
verb (used with object)
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to propel with or as if with oars; row.
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to traverse or make (one's way) by, or as if by, rowing.
verb (used without object)
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to row.
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to move or advance as if by rowing.
idioms
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rest on one's oars, to cease to make an effort; relax after exertion; stop working after success or completing a task.
Once he became president, he was content to rest on his oars.
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put in one's oar, to meddle; interfere.
He put in his oar and was told to mind his own business.
noun
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a long shaft of wood for propelling a boat by rowing, having a broad blade that is dipped into and pulled against the water. Oars were also used for steering certain kinds of ancient sailing boats
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short for oarsman
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to interfere or interrupt
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of oar
before 900; Middle English ore, Old English ār; cognate with Old Norse ār
Vocabulary lists containing oar
3-letter words, List 2
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Spelling Practice, Unit 8
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Spelling Practice 1, Unit 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Fullerton cut off a throw to the plate and caught runner Nick Oar off second base, tagging him out in a rundown to end the inning and Stanford’s best threat.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2018
"I thought Tommy Oar was really good for us, he came on and he was really positive and went at them," the coach said.
From Reuters • Jun. 17, 2015
Seven of the players took part in the last Asian Cup in 2011, including Tim Cahill, captain Mile Jedinak, Robbie Kruse and Tommy Oar.
From Washington Times • Jan. 5, 2015
The 80-seat restaurant is owned by Lindsey Chalifoux and her father, Richard Blakeslee, who also own the Oar in Patchogue.
From New York Times • May 23, 2014
So I made my good-byes and watched her enter the side door of the Oaken Oar.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
