noun
dipole
DY-pohl
Dipole (noun) means an object, for example a magnet or a polar molecule, that carries opposite charge or polarity at each of its two ends. Example: “A bar magnet is a simple example of a dipole.”
noun
1
technical An object, for example a magnet or a polar molecule, that carries opposite charge or polarity at each of its two ends.
"A bar magnet is a simple example of a dipole."
"The molecule behaves as a dipole because its charge is unevenly spread."
"Dipoles interact with electric and magnetic fields in predictable ways."
2
technical A radio dipole antenna.
"The engineer set up a dipole on the roof to improve reception."
"A half-wave dipole is a common design for amateur radio."
"They compared the dipole with a directional antenna."
How to use dipole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dipole is something with two opposite ends, like a small magnet with a positive and negative side.
When to use it
It is a specialist term from physics, chemistry and radio engineering.
Memory tip
Break the word into di- (two) and pole to remember it describes something with two opposite poles.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
dipole antenna
dipole moment
magnetic dipole
electric dipole
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A bar magnet is a simple example of a _____.
Etymology
Dipole is formed in English from the prefix di-, meaning two, combined with pole.
Rhymes for dipole
See all rhymes for dipole →Frequently asked questions
What does dipole mean?
It means something with two opposite charges or poles, such as a magnet or a polar molecule.
What is a dipole in chemistry?
The grounding text describes it as a molecule or radical with delocalized positive and negative charges.
What is a dipole antenna?
It is a type of radio antenna, referred to simply as a dipole, built around this same two-pole idea.
What is the meaning of dipole?
"dipole" (noun) means an object, for example a magnet or a polar molecule, that carries opposite charge or polarity at each of its two ends.
