poll

1 of 2

noun

ˈpōl 

1

a(1)

: the casting or recording of the votes of a body of persons

(2)

: a counting of votes cast

b

: the place where votes are cast or recorded

—usually plural

at the polls

c

: the period of time during which votes may be cast at an election

d

: the total number of votes recorded

a heavy poll

2

a

: a questioning or canvassing of persons selected at random or by quota to obtain information or opinions to be analyzed

b

: a record of the information so obtained

3

: head

4

a

: the top or back of the head

b

: nape

5

: the broad or flat end of a striking tool (such as a hammer)

poll

2 of 2

verb

polled; polling; polls

transitive verb

1

a

: to receive and record the votes of

b

: to request each member of to declare a vote individually

poll the assembly

2

: to receive (votes) in an election

3

: to question or canvass in a poll

4

a

: to cut off or cut short the hair or wool of : crop, shear

b

: to cut off or cut short (a material, such as wool)

5

a

: to cut off or back the top of (something, such as a tree)

specifically : pollard

b

: to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle)

6

: to check (devices, such as several computer terminals sharing a single line) in sequence for messages waiting to be transmitted

intransitive verb

: to cast one's vote at a poll

pollee

pō-ˈlē 

noun

poller

ˈpō-lər 

noun

Synonyms of poll

Noun

• head
• skull
• noodle
• dome
• bean

Verb

• survey
• interview

Examples of poll in a Sentence

Noun

The magazine conducted a poll to find out the favorite 100 movies of all time.

A recent poll shows a decrease in the number of teenagers who smoke.

The polls are open until 8:00 tonight.

Verb

About half of the people polled had tried smoking.

The conservative candidate polled more than 10,000 votes in the last election.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Colom’s campaign told the Washington Examiner that the Democratic nominee had no part in commissioning, funding, conducting, or releasing the Wedgewood survey and that the campaign only referenced it as a public poll. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

An average of four recent polls puts the two camps at roughly 50 and 53 seats, respectively, leaving Arab parties and smaller factions potentially pivotal. — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 22 Oct. 2026

Verb

Though separation frequently polled low in Alberta, the movement grew louder after Carney’s Liberal Party won the 2025 federal elections amid a trade war with the United States. — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026

Serbia's students and their Students' List ticket are believed to be polling close with Vucic's SNS. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English pol, polle, from Middle Low German

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4a

Phrases Containing poll

• deed poll
• exit poll
• opinion poll
• poll tax
• red poll

Rhymes for poll

• bole
• bowl
• coal
• droll
• foal
• goal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll
• nolle

Kids Definition

poll

1 of 2 noun

ˈpōl 

1

a

: head entry 1 sense 1

b

: the top or back of the head

2

a

: the casting or recording of votes

b

: the place where votes are cast or recorded

—usually used in plural

at the polls

3

: a questioning of persons to obtain information or opinions

poll

2 of 2 verb

1

a

: to take and record the votes of

b

: to request each member of to declare his or her vote individually

poll a jury

2

: to receive votes in an election

the candidate polled 10,000 votes

3

: to question (people) or cover (an area) in a poll

4

: to cast one's vote at a poll

poller

ˈpō-lər 

noun

Medical Definition

poll

1 of 3 noun

ˈpōl 

: the head or a part of it

especially : the region between the ears of some quadrupeds (as a horse)

poll

2 of 3 transitive verb

: to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle)

poll

3 of 3 adjective

: having no horns