a man who rows, esp one who rows in a racing boat
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
oar /oʊr/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
v.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Naval Termsa 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.
- Naval Terms, Nauticalto (cause to) row with or as if with oars: [~ + object]He oared the boat downstream.[no object]She oared on the lake.
oars•man
(ôrz′mən, ōrz′-),USA pronunciation n., pl. -men.
oars′man•ship′, n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- Naval Termsa person who rows a boat, esp. a racing boat;
rower.
- oar + 's1 + -man 1695–1705
oar
(ôr, ōr),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
v.i.
oar′less, adj.
oar′like′, adj.
- Naval Termsa long shaft with a broad blade at one end, used as a lever for rowing or otherwise propelling or steering a boat.
- Nautical, Naval Termssomething resembling this or having a similar purpose.
- Naval Terms, Nauticala person who rows;
oarsman. - Idioms put in one's oar, to meddle;
interfere:He put in his oar and was told to mind his own business. - 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.
- Naval Terms, Nauticalto propel with or as if with oars;
row. - Nautical, Naval Termsto traverse or make (one's way) by, or as if by, rowing.
v.i.
- Naval Terms, Nauticalto row.
- Naval Terms, Nauticalto move or advance as if by rowing.
- bef. 900; Middle English ore, Old English ār; cognate with Old Norse ār
oar′like′, adj.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::