pole Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
  2. noun a native or inhabitant of Poland
  3. noun one of two divergent or mutually exclusive opinions
    • they are at opposite poles
    • they are poles apart
  4. noun a linear measure of 16.5 feet
    perch; rod.
  5. noun a square rod of land
    perch; rod.
  6. noun one of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere
    celestial pole.
  7. noun one of two antipodal points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface
  8. noun a contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves
    terminal.
  9. noun a long fiberglass sports implement used for pole vaulting
  10. noun one of the two ends of a magnet where the magnetism seems to be concentrated
    magnetic pole.
  11. verb propel with a pole
    punt.
    • pole barges on the river
    • We went punting in Cambridge
  12. verb support on poles
    • pole climbing plants like beans
  13. verb deoxidize molten metals by stirring them with a wooden pole

WordNet

Pole noun
Etymology
Cf. G. Pole a Pole, Polen Poland.
Definitions
  1. A native or inhabitant of Poland; a Polander.
Pole noun
Etymology
As. pal, L. palus, akin to pangere to make fast. Cf. Pale a stake, Pact.
Definitions
  1. A long, slender piece of wood; a tall, slender piece of timber; the stem of a small tree whose branches have been removed; as, specifically: (a) A carriage pole, a wooden bar extending from the front axle of a carriage between the wheel horses, by which the carriage is guided and held back. (b) A flag pole, a pole on which a flag is supported. (c) A Maypole. See Maypole. (d) A barber's pole, a pole painted in stripes, used as a sign by barbers and hairdressers. (e) A pole on which climbing beans, hops, or other vines, are trained.
  2. A measuring stick; also, a measure of length equal to 5 yards, or a square measure equal to 30 square yards; a rod; a perch. Bacon.
Pole transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Poled ; present participle & verbal noun Poling
Definitions
  1. To furnish with poles for support; as, to pole beans or hops.
  2. To convey on poles; as, to pole hay into a barn.
  3. To impel by a pole or poles, as a boat.
  4. To stir, as molten glass, with a pole.
Pole noun
Etymology
L. polus, Gr. a pivot or hinge on which anything turns, an axis, a pole; akin to to move: cf. F. pôle.
Definitions
  1. Either extremity of an axis of a sphere; especially, one of the extremities of the earth's axis; as, the north pole.
  2. (Spherics) A point upon the surface of a sphere equally distant from every part of the circumference of a great circle; or the point in which a diameter of the sphere perpendicular to the plane of such circle meets the surface. Such a point is called the pole of that circle; as, the pole of the horizon; the pole of the ecliptic; the pole of a given meridian.
  3. (Physics) One of the opposite or contrasted parts or directions in which a polar force is manifested; a point of maximum intensity of a force which has two such points, or which has polarity; as, the poles of a magnet; the north pole of a needle.
  4. The firmament; the sky. Poetic
    Shoots against the dusky pole. Milton.
  5. (Geom.) See Polarity, and Polar, n.

Webster 1913