: a sport played by two pairs of players using short-handled paddles and a ball similar to a tennis ball on a court divided by a net and enclosed by walls made of tempered glass and metal caging against which players may hit the ball
Padel started in Mexico about 50 years ago and is typically played in doubles. The major difference is that the courts—smaller than tennis—are surrounded by mesh or glass walls that players use to bounce balls off of …—
Nadia Lopez
Nadia LopezI soon learn that padel is a combination of tennis and squash, but easier because it's played on a smaller court and serving is underhand, and it tends to be a slower speed game than tennis. The racket is similar to the one used for pickleball, and the scoring is identical to tennis …—Emily Zemler
Emily ZemlerExamples of padel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Manicured hedges and stone retaining walls soften the geometry outside, where a pool, spa, padel court, and outdoor cinema capitalize on the tranquil vantages and extend daily life into the landscape.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
The racquet sports facility will include eight pickleball courts, four padel courts and three tennis courts.
—Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026
In 2020, there were fewer than 30 padel courts in the U.S. Dorfman said early conversations with potential partner required him to explain the sport and consider taking a chance on one event.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Forget the three-point line: Rick Schnall, co-chairman and governor of the Charlotte Hornets, is taking his shot at padel instead.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2026
From March 15-29, the PPL will host all-day padel programming including professional matches, tennis crossovers, padel clinics, and open court times in the Publix Padel Park.
—Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Renovations have been done in phases, including improvements to the golf course and racquet sports program (which serves up tennis, pickleball and padel) and the $15 million renovation of the Guesthouse hotel, which opened last summer.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Coello’s padel journey began at the age of seven, on the courts of his hometown of Mojados, Spain.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
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Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
The racquet sports facility will include eight pickleball courts, four padel courts and three tennis courts.
—Erik Matuszewski, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026
In 2020, there were fewer than 30 padel courts in the U.S. Dorfman said early conversations with potential partner required him to explain the sport and consider taking a chance on one event.
—Kurt Badenhausen, Sportico.com, 24 Mar. 2026
Forget the three-point line: Rick Schnall, co-chairman and governor of the Charlotte Hornets, is taking his shot at padel instead.
—Asli Pelit, New York Times, 24 Mar. 2026
From March 15-29, the PPL will host all-day padel programming including professional matches, tennis crossovers, padel clinics, and open court times in the Publix Padel Park.
—Miami Herald, 13 Mar. 2026
Renovations have been done in phases, including improvements to the golf course and racquet sports program (which serves up tennis, pickleball and padel) and the $15 million renovation of the Guesthouse hotel, which opened last summer.
—Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2026
Coello’s padel journey began at the age of seven, on the courts of his hometown of Mojados, Spain.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Padel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/padel. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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