oars

American

[awrz, ohrz] / ɔrz, oʊrz /

interjection

Nautical.

(used as a command to the crew of a scull or other similar boat to cease rowing and hold the oars horizontal with blades feathered.)

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.

Egyptian and Japanese archeologists have been treating the boat's planks and oars using organic materials, including nano-cellulose and Klucel E, that Zidan said met international restoration standards.

From Barron's • Dec. 23, 2025

Men and women plunged into the sea behind them, grabbing at the ships’ oars.

From Slate • Dec. 15, 2024

While some might see the ferry as a small rowing boat with oars made of pine, Mr Truman sees it as a vital part of the area's heritage.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2024

Rowing, or crew, uses rowing oars that are attached to a boat using oarlocks, unlike paddles, which are unattached.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 29, 2023

For two hours they made steady progress at the oars, and then Shackleton judged the way clear enough to hoist sail.

From "Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World" by Jennifer Armstrong

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023