noun
- a long shaft with a broad blade at one end, used as a lever for rowing or otherwise propelling or steering a boat.
- something resembling this or having a similar purpose.
- a person who rows; oarsman.
verb (used with object)
- to propel with or as if with oars; row.
- to traverse or make (one’s way) by, or as if by, rowing.
verb (used without object)
- to row.
- to move or advance as if by rowing.
Idioms
- put in one’s oar, to meddle; interfere: He put in his oar and was told to mind his own business.
- 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.
noun
- 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
- short for oarsman
- put one’s oar in to interfere or interrupt
verb
- to row or propel with or as if with oarsthe two men were oaring their way across the lake
n.Old English ar “oar,” from Proto-Germanic *airo (cf. Old Norse ar, Danish aare, Swedish åra), of unknown origin; perhaps related to Latin remus “oar,” Greek eretes “rower,” eretmos “oar.” see put one’s oar in.