Definition of pole
1a : a long slender usually cylindrical object (such as a length of wood)b : a shaft which extends from the front axle of a wagon between wheelhorses and by which the wagon is drawn : tonguec : a long staff of wood, metal, or fiberglass used in the pole vault
2 : a varying unit of length; especially : one equal to a rod (161⁄2 feet or about 5 meters)
3 : a tree with a breast-high diameter of from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters)
4 : the inside front row position on the starting line for a race
Read the Latest from M-W
Origin and Etymology of pole
Middle English, from Old English pāl stake, pole, from Latin palus stake; akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at pact
pole
Definition of pole
poled
;poling
transitive verb
1 : to act upon with a pole
2 : to impel or push with a pole
intransitive verb
1 : to propel a boat with a pole
2 : to use ski poles to gain speed
First Known Use of pole
1573
pole
Definition of pole
1 : either extremity of an axis of a sphere and especially of the earth's axis
2a : either of two related oppositesb : a point of guidance or attraction
3a : either of the two terminals of an electric cell, battery, generator, or motorb : one of two or more regions in a magnetized body at which the magnetic flux density is concentrated
4 : either of two morphologically or physiologically differentiated areas at opposite ends of an axis in an organism or cell — see blastula illustration
5a : the fixed point in a system of polar coordinates that serves as the originb : the point of origin of two tangents to a conic section that determine a polar
poles apart
: diametrically opposed
Origin and Etymology of pole
Middle English, from Latin polus, from Greek polos pivot, pole; akin to Greek pelesthai to become, Sanskrit carati he moves, wanders — more at wheel
Other Cartography Terms
Pole
playDefinition of Pole
1 : a native or inhabitant of Poland
2 : a person of Polish descent
Origin and Etymology of pole
German, of Slavic origin; akin to Polish Polak Pole, Polska Poland, pole field
Pole
playDefinition of Pole
Reginald 1500–1558 English cardinal; archbishop of Canterbury (1556–58)
POLE Defined for English Language Learners
pole
Definition of pole for English Language Learners
-
: to move (a boat) by using a pole to push against the bottom of a river, lake, etc.
POLE Defined for Kids
Definition of pole for Students
: a long straight thin piece of material (as wood or metal)
Definition of pole for Students
1 : either end of the imaginary line on which the earth or another planet turns
2 : either of the two ends of a magnet
Medical Dictionary
pole
playMedical Definition of pole
1a: either of the two terminals of an electric cell, battery, generator, or motorb: one of two or more regions in a magnetized body at which the magnetic flux density is concentrated
2: either of two morphologically or physiologically differentiated areas at opposite ends of an axis in an organism, organ, or cell—see animal pole, vegetal pole
Learn More about pole
-
See words that rhyme with pole Spanish Central: Translation of pole Nglish: Translation of pole for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of pole for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up pole? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!