pole
pole Lexical Profile
pole Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A long, slender, rounded piece of wood, metal, or other material, typically used as a support, a prop, or a tool.
"The workers erected a tall wooden pole to support the new telephone wires."
Either of the two points on the surface of a celestial body, such as Earth, where its axis of rotation intersects its surface.
"Many early explorers risked their lives attempting to reach the North Pole."
Either of the two opposite ends of a magnet where the magnetic field is strongest, or either of two extreme opposing positions or opinions.
"The debate revealed that the two politicians stood at opposite poles regarding the economic policy."
• verb
To propel or steer a boat by pushing a long staff against the bottom of a river or lake.
"The guide skillfully poled the flat-bottomed boat through the shallow, reedy marshes."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word is a homophone with "poll" (a survey or election). Additionally, when capitalized as "Pole," it functions as an unrelated proper noun denoting a native or citizen of Poland.
• Rhymes for pole
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
"Pole" derives from two distinct sources. Meaning a long stick, it comes from Old English "pāl," borrowed from Latin "palus" (stake). Meaning the extremity of an axis, it comes from Old French "pole," via Latin "polus" from Greek "polos" (pivot, axis).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.