Paddle round Arab (3)
I believe the answer is:
oar
'paddle' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'round arab' is the wordplay.
'round' becomes 'o' (round can mean a round object).
'arab' becomes 'ar' (abbreviation in Chambers).
'o'+'ar'='OAR'
(Other definitions for oar that I've seen before include "propellor" , "Rowing implement" , "that may be feathered?" , "Manual boat propeller" , "propels floating craft" .)