pole
Pole (noun) means a long, slender piece of wood or metal used for support or construction. Example: “They set up a tent using two long poles.”
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.
Don't confuse with "poll" (a vote or survey), which sounds identical.
Word forms
poled past tense, poled past tense, poles plural, poles plural, Poles plural, poles singular, poles singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They set up a tent using two long _____.
Etymology
From Old English pal, from Latin palus, "stake."
Related words
Rhymes for pole
See all rhymes for pole →Frequently asked questions
What does “pole” mean?
The word “pole” means a long, slender piece of wood or metal used for support or construction. In plain terms, a long rod-like object, the extreme points of the Earth or a magnet, or a person from Poland.
How do you pronounce “pole”?
“Pole” is pronounced pohl (/poʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “pole” in a sentence?
Here is “pole” used in a sentence: “They set up a tent using two long poles.”
What is the opposite of “pole”?
The opposite of “pole” — its antonyms — is zero.
What part of speech is “pole”?
Depending on how it is used, “pole” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pole” come from?
The word “pole” comes from Latin. From Old English pal, from Latin palus, "stake.".
Is “pole” a common word?
“Pole” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pole” have?
“Pole” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long, slender piece of wood or metal used for support or construction.
What is the difference between the two meanings of "pole"?
One sense of "pole" is a long, slender piece of wood or metal used for support or construction, such as a flagpole. The other sense is either of the two points where the Earth's axis meets its surface, or a similar point on a magnet, such as the North Pole or a magnetic pole.
What is the difference between "pole" and "poll"?
Though they sound alike, "pole" is a long rod or an endpoint of an axis or magnet, while "poll" refers to voting or a survey of opinion. They are homophones with completely different meanings.
Why are the ends of a magnet called "poles"?
A magnet has two poles, its north and south, mirroring the way "pole" names the points where the Earth's axis meets its surface. The word marks the opposite endpoints of a magnetic or geographic field.
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