pole

noun (1)

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\ ˈpōl

Definition of pole

(Entry 1 of 5)

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 : tongue

c : 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

pole

verb

poled; poling

Definition of pole (Entry 2 of 5)

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

pole

noun (2)

Definition of pole (Entry 3 of 5)

1 : either extremity of an axis of a sphere and especially of the earth's axis

2a : either of two related opposites

b : a point of guidance or attraction

3a : either of the two terminals of an electric cell, battery, generator, or motor

b : 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 origin

b : the point of origin of two tangents to a conic section that determine a polar

poles apart

: diametrically opposed

Pole

noun (3)

\ ˈpōl

Definition of Pole (Entry 4 of 5)

1 : a native or inhabitant of Poland

2 : a person of Polish descent

Pole

biographical name

\ ˈpōl

, ˈpül \

Definition of Pole (Entry 5 of 5)

Reginald 1500–1558 English cardinal; archbishop of Canterbury (1556–58)

First Known Use of pole

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1573, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for pole

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English pāl stake, pole, from Latin palus stake; akin to Latin pangere to fix — more at pact

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Latin polus, from Greek polos pivot, pole; akin to Greek pelesthai to become, Sanskrit carati he moves, wanders — more at wheel

Noun (3)

German, of Slavic origin; akin to Polish Polak Pole, Polska Poland, pole field

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Dictionary Entries near pole

pole and satchel charge

poleax

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Cite this Entry

“Pole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pole. Accessed 19 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for pole

pole

verb

English Language Learners Definition of pole

(Entry 1 of 2)

: to move (a boat) by using a pole to push against the bottom of a river, lake, etc.

Pole

noun

English Language Learners Definition of Pole (Entry 2 of 2)

: a Polish person

See the full definition for Pole in the English Language Learners Dictionary

pole

noun

\ ˈpōl

Kids Definition of pole

(Entry 1 of 3)

: a long straight thin piece of material (as wood or metal)

pole

noun

Kids Definition of pole (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : either end of the imaginary line on which the earth or another planet turns

2 : either of the two ends of a magnet

Pole

noun

\ ˈpōl

Kids Definition of Pole

: a person born or living in Poland

pole

noun

\ ˈpōl

Medical Definition of pole

1a : either of the two terminals of an electric cell, battery, generator, or motor

b : 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

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