noun
pole
pohl
noun
1
A long, slender piece of wood or metal used for support or construction.
"They set up a tent using two long poles."
"The flag hung limply from its pole."
2
Either of the two points where the Earth's axis meets its surface, or a similar point on a magnet or field.
"Explorers first reached the South Pole in 1911."
"The battery has a positive and a negative pole."
3
A person from Poland.
"Many Poles emigrated to the UK after Poland joined the EU."
verb
1
To push a boat forward using a pole.
"They poled the punt gently down the river."
How to Use Pole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA long rod-like object, the extreme points of the Earth or a magnet, or a person from Poland.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "poll" (a vote or survey), which sounds identical.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fishing pole
North Pole
flag pole
pole position
Word Forms
poled past tense, poled past tense, poles plural, poles plural, Poles plural, poles singular, poles singular
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They set up a tent using two long _____.
Etymology
From Old English pal, from Latin palus, "stake."