noun
Common
polling
Polling (noun) means the activity of surveying opinions or running a vote. Example: “Polling at the school showed most pupils wanted a longer lunch break.”
noun
1
The activity of surveying opinions or running a vote.
"Polling at the school showed most pupils wanted a longer lunch break."
"Online polling is quick, but not everyone has internet access."
"Polling suggests the referendum will be close."
2
In computing, the practice of a device repeatedly checking another to see if it has data ready.
"Constant polling drains the battery because the device keeps asking for updates."
"Instead of polling, the system now sends a signal when new data arrives."
"The app uses polling to check the server for new messages every few seconds."
How to use polling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act of taking a vote or survey, or (in tech) repeatedly checking for updates.
Common pairings
polling station
polling data
polling interval
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Word forms
- Plural
- pollings
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_____ at the school showed most pupils wanted a longer lunch break.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for polling
See all rhymes for polling →Frequently asked questions
What does “polling” mean?
The word “polling” means the activity of surveying opinions or running a vote. In plain terms, the act of taking a vote or survey, or (in tech) repeatedly checking for updates.
How do you use “polling” in a sentence?
Here is “polling” used in a sentence: “Polling suggests the referendum will be close.”
What part of speech is “polling”?
“Polling” is a noun.
Is “polling” a common word?
“Polling” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “polling” have?
“Polling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the activity of surveying opinions or running a vote.
What is the difference between polling and voting?
Polling refers to the activity of surveying opinions or running a vote to gauge sentiment, while voting is the specific act of casting a formal choice in an election. Polling can happen before an election to predict outcomes, whereas voting is the official process that determines results.
What does polling mean in computing?
In computing, polling describes the practice of a device repeatedly checking another device to see if it has data ready, rather than waiting to be notified. This differs from event-driven approaches where the device is alerted only when data is actually available.
Why is polling used instead of other methods in computing?
Polling is used because it is simple to implement, as a device just checks repeatedly at intervals rather than requiring more complex notification systems. The tradeoff is that frequent polling can waste resources compared to methods that wait for an alert.
