pole

noun \ ˈpōl \

Definition of pole

1 a : 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

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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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pole

verb

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

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First Known Use of pole

1573

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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pole

noun

Definition of pole

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

2 a : either of two related opposites

b : a point of guidance or attraction

3 a : 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

5 a : 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

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Other Cartography Terms

Robinson projection, benchmark, plat, projection, topography

Pole

noun \ ˈpōl \

Definition of Pole

1 : a native or inhabitant of Poland

2 : a person of Polish descent

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Origin and Etymology of pole

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1535

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Pole

biographical name \ ˈpōl , ˈpül \

Definition of Pole

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

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POLE Defined for English Language Learners

pole

verb

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

noun

Definition of Pole for English Language Learners

: a Polish person

Pole

noun

Definition of Pole for English Language Learners

: a Polish person

POLE Defined for Kids

pole

noun \ ˈpōl \

Definition of pole for Students

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

pole

noun

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

Pole

noun \ ˈpōl \

Definition of Pole for Students

: a person born or living in Poland

Medical Dictionary

pole

noun \ ˈpōl \

medical Definition of pole

1 a : 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