A pole is a long thin piece of wood or metal, used especially for supporting things.
The truck crashed into a telegraph pole.
He reached up with a hooked pole to roll down the metal shutter.
2. countable noun
The earth's poles are the two opposite ends of its axis, its most northern and southern points.
For six months of the year, there is hardly any light at the poles.
3. See also North Pole, South Pole
4. countable noun
The two poles of a range of qualities, opinions, or beliefs are the completely opposite qualities,opinions, or beliefs at either end of the range.
The two politicians represent opposite poles of the political spectrum.
Synonyms: extremity, limit, terminus, antipode More Synonyms of pole
5.
See poles apart
More Synonyms of pole
Pole
Word forms: plural Poles
countable noun
A Pole is a person who comes from Poland.
pole in British English1
(pəʊl)
noun
1.
a long slender usually round piece of wood, metal, or other material
2.
the piece of timber on each side of which a pair of carriage horses are hitched
3. another name for rod (sense 7)
4. horse racing, mainly US and Canadian
a.
the inside lane of a racecourse
b.
(as modifier)
the pole position
c.
one of a number of markers placed at intervals of one sixteenth of a mile along the side of a racecourse
5. nautical
a.
any light spar
b.
the part of a mast between the head and the attachment of the uppermost shrouds
6. under bare poles
7. up the pole
verb
8. (transitive)
to strike or push with a pole
9. (transitive)
a.
to set out (an area of land or garden) with poles
b.
to support (a crop, such as hops or beans) on poles
10. (transitive)
to deoxidize (a molten metal, esp copper) by stirring it with green wood
11.
to punt (a boat)
Word origin
Old English pāl, from Latin pālus a stake, prop; see pale2
pole in British English2
(pəʊl)
noun
1.
either of the two antipodal points where the earth's axis of rotation meets the earth's surface
See also North Pole, South Pole
2. astronomy short for celestial pole
3. physics
a.
either of the two regions at the extremities of a magnet to which the lines of force converge or from which they diverge
b.
either of two points or regions in a piece of material, system, etc, at which thereare opposite electric charges, as at the two terminals of a battery
4. mathematics
an isolated singularity of an analytical function
5. biology
a.
either end of the axis of a cell, spore, ovum, or similar body
b.
either end of the spindle formed during the metaphase of mitosis and meiosis
6. physiology
the point on a neuron from which the axon or dendrites project from the cell body
7.
either of two mutually exclusive or opposite actions, opinions, etc
8. geometry
the origin in a system of polar or spherical coordinates
9.
any fixed point of reference
10. poles apart
11. from pole to pole
Word origin
C14: from Latin polus end of an axis, from Greek polos pivot, axis, pole; related to Greek kuklos circle
Pole in British English1
(pəʊl)
noun
a native, inhabitant, or citizen of Poland or a speaker of Polish
Pole in British English2
(pəʊl)
noun
Reginald. 1500–58, English cardinal; last Roman Catholic archbishop of Canterbury (1556–58)
Pole in American English1
(poʊl)
noun
a person born or living in Poland
Pole in American English2
(poʊl)
Reginald1500-58; Eng. cardinal: last Rom. Catholic archbishop of Canterbury (1556-58)
pole in American English1
(poʊl)
noun
1.
a long, slender piece of wood, metal, etc. usually rounded
a tent pole, flagpole, fishing pole
2.
a tapering wooden shaft extending from the front axle of a wagon or carriage and attached by chains or straps to the collars of a span of horses
3.
a unit of measure, equal to one rod in linear measure (5.029 m) or one square rod in square measure (25.29 sq m)
4.
an assigned starting position at a racetrack, in the front row if there is more than one row and in the innermost lane
verb transitive, verb intransitiveWord forms: poled or ˈpoling
5. US
to push along (a boat or raft) with a pole
6.
to manipulate, impel, support, etc. with or as with a pole
Idioms:
under bare poles
Word origin
ME < OE pal < L palus, pale2
pole in American English2
(poʊl)
noun
1.
either end of any axis, as of the earth, of the celestial sphere, of a mitotic spindle during cell division, etc.
2.
the region around the North Pole or that around the South Pole
3.
either of two opposed or differentiated forces, parts, or principles, such as the ends of a magnet, the terminals of a battery,motor, or dynamo, or two extremes of opinion, etc.
4. Embryology
either of the two differentiated regions in the early embryo of many animals; specif., the animal pole containing little yolk and the vegetal pole containing most of the yolk
5. Ancient Mathematics
a point or points with characteristic properties, as the point of origin of polarcoordinates
Idioms:
poles apart
Word origin
ME < L polus, pole of the heavens, heavens < Gr polos, axis of the sphere, firmament < pelein, to be in motion < IE base *kwel-, to turn > wheel
More idioms containing
pole
in pole position
someone wouldn't touch something or someone with a barge pole
up the greasy pole
Examples of 'pole' in a sentence
pole
You need to be able to kick between the three and two furlong poles.
The Sun (2016)
That metal pole fitted perfectly inside the boot of his Porsche.
The Sun (2016)
For climbing structures, seek out rusty metal poles or sleek stainless steel.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A pole has no reel and fish are drawn in by removing sections of the pole one at a time, by hand.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They occupy the extreme opposite poles of modern ideology.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The netting is also held taut by supporting poles which allow the stuntman to land safely.
The Sun (2011)
Which of the two is in pole position?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
You cannot see beyond the furlong pole.
The Sun (2009)
Make sure that you have sufficient brackets to support long poles or ones carrying heavy curtains.
Churchill, Jane (ed.) Collins Complete Books of Soft Furnishings (1993)
He chained me to the pole again and pushed the helmet over my head.
The Sun (2014)
You cannot climb the greasy pole without it.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The important fact is that the two poles of the magnet work in opposite ways.
Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)
The sound guys have these long poles with a microphone on them.
The Sun (2014)
To climb the greasy pole you must be competitive and pugnacious.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Global temperatures were much higher at this time than they are today and there was no ice cover at either pole.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
The two lighting poles are just outside the high-security zone around the stadium.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
At the opposite pole from such informality was Elijah.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In Glasgow one driver had a metal pole thrown at them.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Oh all right then... you can only get one pole in a pair of curtains.
The Sun (2011)
Then again, nobody gave her a chance of setting pole position either.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
I designed these small shops to look like blue and white striped tents supported by bamboo poles at the corners.
Page, Russell The Education of a Gardener (1994)
In the same way, the opposite poles of a moving magnet have opposite effects on theelectrons in a coil of wire.
Schneider, Hermann & Schneider, Leo The Harper Dictionary of Science in Everyday Language (1988)
GETTING sweaty on stage at Wembley and mucky in the garden may seem poles apart.
The Sun (2012)
As there is no sail, the sailors punt with a pole, or pull on a rope from the bank.
Eric Newby A BOOK OF LANDS AND PEOPLES (2003)
Without the pole for support, I had a moment of panic.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Word lists with
pole
European peoples
In other languages
pole
British English: pole /pəʊl/ NOUN
A pole is a long, thin piece of wood or metal, used especially for supporting things.
...a 40-foot telephone pole.
American English: pole
Arabic: عَمُود
Brazilian Portuguese: mastro
Chinese: 杆
Croatian: motka
Czech: tyč
Danish: pæl
Dutch: paal
European Spanish: poste
Finnish: seiväs
French: étai
German: Stange
Greek: πάσσαλος
Italian: polo
Japanese: 棒
Korean: 장대
Norwegian: stolpe
Polish: drąg
European Portuguese: mastro
Romanian: stâlp
Russian: шест
Latin American Spanish: poste
Swedish: stolpe
Thai: เสา
Turkish: direk elektrik, telgraf
Ukrainian: жердина
Vietnamese: cọc
British English: Pole /pəʊl/ NOUN
A Pole is a citizen of Poland, or a person of Polish origin.
American English: Pole
Arabic: بُولَنْدِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: polonês
Chinese: 波兰人
Croatian: Poljak
Czech: Polák
Danish: polak
Dutch: Pool
European Spanish: polaco
Finnish: puolalainen henkilö
French: Polonais
German: Pole
Greek: Πόλος
Italian: Polo
Japanese: ポーランド人
Korean: 폴란드 사람
Norwegian: polakk
Polish: Polak
European Portuguese: polaco
Romanian: polonez
Russian: поляк
Latin American Spanish: polaco
Swedish: polack
Thai: ชาวโปแลนด์
Turkish: Kutup
Ukrainian: поляк
Vietnamese: người Ba Lan
Chinese translation of 'pole'
pole
(pəul)
n(c)
(= stick) 杆(桿) (gān) (根, gēn)
(Geo) 地极 (dìjí) (个(個), gè)
(Elec) 电(電)极(極) (diànjí)
to be poles apart截然相反 (jiérán xiāngfǎn)
to be in pole position (in motor racing) 在跑道内(內)圈 (zài pǎodào nèiquān)
Pole
(pəul)
n(c)
波兰(蘭)人 (Bōlánrén) (个(個), gè)
All related terms of 'pole'
pole bean
( runner bean ) 蔓生菜豆 mànshēng càidòu [ 颗 kē ]
tent pole
帐(帳)篷支柱 zhàngpeng zhīzhù [ 根 gēn ]
North Pole
▶ the North Pole 北极(極) Běijí
pole vault
▶ the pole vault 撑(撐)杆跳高 chēnggān tiàogāo
South Pole
▶ the South Pole 南极(極) Nánjí
telegraph pole
电(電)话(話)线(線)杆(桿) diànhuàxiàngān [ 根 gēn ]
the North Pole
北极(極) Běijí
the pole vault
撑(撐)杆跳高 chēnggān tiàogāo
the South Pole
南极(極) Nánjí
to be in pole position
( in motor racing ) 在跑道内(內)圈 zài pǎodào nèiquān
(noun)
Definition
a long slender rounded piece of wood, metal, or other material
The sign hung at the top of a large pole.
Synonyms
rod
reinforced with steel rods
post
Eight wooden posts were driven into the ground.
support
Rats had been gnawing at the supports of the house.
staff
We carried a staff that was notched at various lengths.
standard
bar
a crowd throwing stones and iron bars
stick
Crowds armed with sticks and stones took to the streets.
stake
Drive in a stake before planting the tree.
paling
shaft
a drive shaft
upright
pillar
the pillars supporting the roof
mast
the slapping of the flag on the short mast
picket
The area was fenced in with pickets to keep out the animals.
spar
stave
(noun)
Definition
either of two directly opposite tendencies or opinions
The two mayoral candidates represent opposite poles of the political spectrum.
Synonyms
extremity
a small port on the north-western extremity of the island
limit
My love for you is being tested to its limits.
terminus
antipode
idiom
See poles apart
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bar
Definition
a rigid usually straight length of metal, wood, etc. used as a barrier or structural part
a crowd throwing stones and iron bars
Synonyms
rod,
staff,
stick,
stake,
rail,
pole,
paling,
shaft,
baton,
mace,
batten,
palisade,
crosspiece
in the sense of limit
Definition
the ultimate extent or amount of something
My love for you is being tested to its limits.
Synonyms
end,
bound,
ultimate,
deadline,
utmost,
breaking point,
termination,
extremity,
greatest extent,
the bitter end,
end point,
cutoff point,
furthest bound
in the sense of mast
Definition
a vertical pole for supporting sails, radar equipment, etc., above the deck of a ship
the slapping of the flag on the short mast
Synonyms
flagpole,
support,
post,
pole,
upright
Synonyms of 'pole'
pole
Explore 'pole' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of picket
Definition
a pointed stake that is driven into the ground to support a fence
The area was fenced in with pickets to keep out the animals.
Synonyms
stake,
post,
pale,
paling,
peg,
upright,
palisade,
stanchion
in the sense of pillar
Definition
an upright support of stone, brick, or metal
the pillars supporting the roof
Synonyms
support,
post,
column,
piling,
prop,
shaft,
upright,
pier,
obelisk,
stanchion,
pilaster
in the sense of post
Definition
a length of wood, metal, or concrete fixed upright to support or mark something
Eight wooden posts were driven into the ground.
Synonyms
support,
stake,
pole,
stock,
standard,
column,
pale,
shaft,
upright,
pillar,
picket,
palisade,
newel
in the sense of shaft
Definition
the long straight narrow handle of a tool or golf club
a drive shaft
Synonyms
handle,
staff,
pole,
rod,
stem,
upright,
baton,
shank
in the sense of staff
Definition
a stick with some special use, such as a walking stick or an emblem of authority
We carried a staff that was notched at various lengths.
Synonyms
stick,
pole,
rod,
prop,
crook,
cane,
stave,
wand,
sceptre
in the sense of stake
Definition
a stick or metal bar driven into the ground as part of a fence or as a support or marker
Drive in a stake before planting the tree.
Synonyms
pole,
post,
spike,
stick,
pale,
paling,
picket,
stave,
palisade
in the sense of stick
Definition
such a piece of wood shaped for a special purpose
Crowds armed with sticks and stones took to the streets.
Synonyms
cane,
staff,
pole,
rod,
stake,
switch,
crook,
baton,
wand,
sceptre
in the sense of support
Definition
a thing that bears the weight of an object from below
Rats had been gnawing at the supports of the house.