oars

US: (ôrz, ōrz)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

oars  (ôrz, ōrz), interj. [Naut.]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms (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.)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

oar /oʊr/   n. [countable]

1. Naval Terms a long pole with a broad, wide blade at one end, used as a lever for rowing or otherwise moving or steering a boat:
   dipping the oars into the water and stroking.

v. 

2. Naval Terms, Nautical to (cause to) row with or as if with oars: [~ + object]
   He oared the boat downstream.
   [no object]
   She oared on the lake.

oars•man, n. [countable] , pl. -men. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

oar  (ôr, ōr), n. 

1. Naval Terms a long shaft with a broad blade at one end, used as a lever for rowing or otherwise propelling or steering a boat.
2. Nautical, Naval Terms something resembling this or having a similar purpose.
3. Naval Terms, Nautical a person who rows;
   oarsman.
4. Idioms put in one's oar, to meddle;
   interfere:
   He put in his oar and was told to mind his own business.
5. Idioms 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.

v.t. 

6. Naval Terms, Nautical to propel with or as if with oars;
   row.
7. Nautical, Naval Terms to traverse or make (one's way) by, or as if by, rowing.

v.i. 

8. Naval Terms, Nautical to row.
9. Naval Terms, Nautical to move or advance as if by rowing.

• bef. 900; Middle English ore, Old English ār; cognate with Old Norse ār

oar′less, adj. 
oar′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

oar / ɔː/ noun

1. 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
2. short for oarsman
3. put one's oar in ⇒ to interfere or interrupt

verb

1. to row or propel with or as if with oars

Etymology: Old English ār, of Germanic origin; related to Old Norse ār

ˈoarless adjective

ˈoarˌlike adjective