Poll
/poʊl/
Definitions
4 meaningsA survey of public opinion on a particular topic.
/poʊl/
A survey of public opinion.
The latest poll suggests a shift in public sentiment.
💡 Simply: Imagine you ask a bunch of people what they think about something, like their favorite ice cream flavor. A poll is like that – it's a way to see what most people think or want.
👶 For kids: A poll is like asking a bunch of your friends what their favorite toy is.
More Examples
The news channel released a poll regarding the upcoming election.
A recent online poll showed surprising results.
How It's Used
"The latest poll shows a tight race between the two candidates."
"The company conducted a poll to gauge customer satisfaction."
The act or process of voting in an election or referendum.
/poʊl/
The process of voting.
The candidates are campaigning hard before the polls open.
💡 Simply: It's where people go to vote, like the place at school or the town hall where you cast your ballot.
👶 For kids: The place where grown-ups go to choose who they want to be in charge.
More Examples
He went to the polls early to avoid the crowd.
The polls closed at 8 pm sharp.
How It's Used
"Voter turnout at the polls was higher than expected."
To conduct a survey to obtain the opinions of a group of people.
/poʊl/
To conduct a survey of opinions.
The newspaper polled residents about the new city plan.
💡 Simply: To ask a bunch of people what they think to find out the popular opinion. Like asking all your friends what movie they want to see.
👶 For kids: Asking a bunch of people what they think about something.
More Examples
They are polling potential customers about the new features.
Researchers are polling voters to predict the election outcomes.
How It's Used
"The company is polling customers on product preferences."
"The news organizations will poll voters on their choices"
To record or count votes.
/poʊl/
To record the votes of people.
The officials are currently polling all the votes that were cast today.
💡 Simply: To count the votes that people cast
👶 For kids: Counting the votes!
More Examples
They are polling the voters for the upcoming by-election.
The election officials are busy polling the ballots.
How It's Used
"The election officials are polling the votes."
Idioms & expressions
go to the polls
To vote in an election.
"Make sure to go to the polls and make your voice heard in the upcoming election."
From Middle English polle, from Old English *pōlla, a variant of pūla ('head, top of the head'). The meaning shifted to counting votes and later public opinion.
The word 'poll' has been used since the 15th century in the sense of counting people or votes.
Memory tip
Think of a 'pulse' of public feeling.
Word Origin
"Head, top of the head, later referring to counting votes and opinions."