rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypaddockEnclosed field
noun

paddock

PAD-uhk/ˈpædək/

An enclosed area where horses or other livestock are kept or exercised.

A wooden fence surrounds the grassy paddock, and its gate stays closed.

A small grassy horse enclosure seen from a slightly elevated angle, with its entire wooden fence perimeter and closed gate visible.
Etymology
paddockOld Englishenclosed space, fence

Paddock apparently descends from pearroc, which named a fence or enclosed space. The modern animal field preserves that enclosure idea, especially in a small pasture near a stable.

In context

Ryan Rose7:15
if your horse lives in a small paddock, if your horse is in in a stall, you know, they're going to have some energy.
Horse won’t Slow down!

More examples

  • The horses stretch their legs in the paddock.
  • We keep the calves in separate paddocks.
  • Before the race, handlers saddle the horses in the paddock.

Forms

paddock · paddocks

Similar words

pen
Usually a smaller enclosure for holding animals rather than exercising them.
pasture
Emphasizes land for grazing rather than confinement or exercise.
corral
Emphasizes an enclosure for gathering, holding, or handling livestock.