DictionaryrowMoving a boat with oars
verb / noun

row

Moving a boat through water using oars.

She rows the boat across the quiet lake.

Etymology

Old English rōwan meant to propel a boat with oars. The modern verb preserves that inherited action.

More examples

  • They rowed back to shore.
  • He has rowed this route before.
  • The morning row took an hour.

Forms

row · rows · rowed · rowing

Similar words

paddle
Propels a boat with a freely held paddle rather than mounted oars.