Pole
poʊl
Definitions
4 meaningsA long, usually cylindrical piece of wood, metal, or other material, used for a variety of purposes such as support, carrying, or marking a location.
poʊl
A long, slender, usually cylindrical object, often made of wood or metal.
The flag was raised on a tall pole.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really long stick. You might use it to hold up a flag, vault over a bar, or help you balance on a tightrope. That's a pole!
👶 For kids: A pole is a long stick that you can use for many things, like holding a flag or helping you jump high.
More Examples
The circus performer balanced on a long pole.
The explorers aimed to reach the South Pole.
How It's Used
"The workers used a long pole to hold up the scaffolding."
"The athlete used a pole to vault over the bar."
"The North Pole and South Pole are the two extreme points on Earth's axis."
Either of the two points at the extremities of the Earth's axis, or either of the two points of a magnet where the magnetic force is concentrated.
poʊl
Either of the two ends of the Earth's axis or a magnet.
The ship sailed towards the North Pole.
💡 Simply: Think of the very top and bottom of the Earth, or the two ends of a magnet that pull things together or push them apart. Those are poles!
👶 For kids: The North Pole and South Pole are the top and bottom of the world, or the two sides of a magnet.
More Examples
The magnet's poles attract opposite charges.
The magnetic pole shifted.
How It's Used
"The Earth's magnetic field has a North and South Pole."
"Magnets have a North and South Pole that attract and repel."
To propel a boat or raft by using a pole to push against the bottom of a body of water.
poʊl
To propel or move a boat or raft with a pole.
The boatman poled the vessel through the narrow canal.
💡 Simply: When you 'pole' a boat, you're using a long stick to push the boat along in the water, like gondoliers do in Venice!
👶 For kids: If you pole a boat, you push it with a long stick to make it move.
More Examples
The river was shallow enough to pole across.
She poled the boat into the center of the lake.
How It's Used
"The gondolier poled the gondola through the canals."
"They poled their raft across the shallow river."
An investigation of the opinions or experiences of a group of people based on a sample of them.
poʊl
A person's opinion or position on an issue.
The opinion poll results were surprisingly accurate.
💡 Simply: When you hear about a 'poll,' it's like asking a bunch of people what they think about something, to get a general idea of what everyone thinks!
👶 For kids: A poll is when people ask a lot of other people what they think about something.
More Examples
The political candidate commissioned a poll.
A recent poll revealed a split in public opinion.
How It's Used
"The latest poll shows a shift in public opinion."
"The researchers conducted a poll to gauge people's views."
Idioms & expressions
go to the pole
To depart; to leave.
"Okay, I've got to go to the pole now. I'm late for work."
From Old English *pāl* 'pole, stake', related to Proto-Germanic *paila-.
The word 'pole' has been used since the Old English period, originally referring to a stake or support.