Definition

1. Noun:

   • A long, slender, rounded piece of wood, metal, or other material: A straight, typically cylindrical rod used for support, construction, or as a tool.
   • Either of the two points (North Pole or South Pole) on the surface of the Earth where its axis of rotation meets the surface: The geographical extremities of the planet.
   • Either of the two opposite ends of a magnet or an electric cell or battery: The points of concentrated magnetic force or electrical connection.
   • Either of two directly opposite or contrasting principles, opinions, or forces: One of two extremes that are completely different from each other.

2. Verb:

   • To propel, support, or stir with a pole: To push or move something using a long rod; to provide support using poles.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • He used a long pole to knock the fruit from the tree.
  • The expedition aimed to reach the North Pole.
  • Connect the red wire to the positive pole of the battery.
  • Their political views are at opposite poles.

• Verb:

  • We will pole the raft down the river.
  • The gardener poled the tomato plants to help them grow upright.

Advanced Usage

• "to be poles apart": To be completely different or opposite in nature, opinion, or character.

  • Their approaches to solving the problem were poles apart.

• "under bare poles" (Nautical): A sailing ship with no sails set, often due to very strong winds.

  • The storm was so fierce the ship had to run under bare poles.

• "up the pole" (Informal, chiefly British): In a difficult or crazy situation; confused or mistaken.

  • His latest theory has him completely up the pole.

Variants and Related Words

• Polar (adj): Relating to or situated near a geographic pole; involving complete opposites.

  • The polar regions are very cold.
  • They took polar positions on the debate.

• Pole vault (n): A track and field event where an athlete uses a long, flexible pole to jump over a high bar.

  • She won a gold medal in the pole vault.

• Pole star (n): A star, especially Polaris, located nearly above a celestial pole and used for navigation.

  • Sailors once navigated by the pole star.

Synonyms

• Rod: A thin straight bar, especially of wood or metal.
• Extreme: The furthest point or limit; one of two opposing viewpoints.
• Post: A long, sturdy piece of timber or metal set upright in the ground.
• Terminal: A point of connection for electrical circuits.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Pole through: To move through something, like water or snow, using a pole.
  • They poled through the shallow marsh.

Related Idioms

• "Wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole": To want to avoid something completely because it is unpleasant, risky, or controversial.
  • That investment scheme sounds like a scam; I wouldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole.

Noun

1. one of the two ends of a magnet where the magnetism seems to be concentrated
2. a long fiberglass sports implement used for pole vaulting
3. a contact on an electrical device (such as a battery) at which electric current enters or leaves
4. one of two antipodal points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface
5. one of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere
6. a square rod of land
7. a linear measure of 16.5 feet
8. one of two divergent or mutually exclusive opinions
   • they are at opposite poles
   • they are poles apart
9. a native or inhabitant of Poland
10. a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

Verb

1. deoxidize molten metals by stirring them with a wooden pole
2. support on poles
   • pole climbing plants like beans
3. propel with a pole
   • pole barges on the river
   • We went punting in Cambridge