poll
/poul/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The counting of votes in an election: The process of counting the votes cast in an election.
- A place where votes are cast: A location, such as a booth or station, where people go to vote.
- The number of votes recorded: The total number of votes cast in an election or on a particular issue.
- A survey of public opinion: An inquiry into public opinion conducted by questioning a representative sample of people.
- (Archaic/Humorous) The head or the hair on the head: The top part of a human head.
Verb:
- To receive or record votes: To receive a certain number of votes in an election.
- To vote: To cast one's vote.
- To cut off the top of something: To cut off the top or branches of a tree; to cut the horns from an animal.
- To question in a survey: To ask people their opinions as part of a public opinion survey.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- The final poll showed a clear winner. (The final vote count showed a clear winner.)
- Voters lined up at the poll before it opened. (Voters lined up at the voting place before it opened.)
- The candidate won by a large poll. (The candidate won by a large number of votes.)
- A recent poll indicates most people support the new law. (A recent survey indicates most people support the new law.)
- He scratched his bald poll thoughtfully. (He scratched his bald head thoughtfully.)
Verb:
- The candidate is expected to poll well in urban areas. (The candidate is expected to receive many votes in urban areas.)
- Citizens will poll on the referendum tomorrow. (Citizens will vote on the referendum tomorrow.)
- The farmer decided to poll the willow trees. (The farmer decided to cut the tops off the willow trees.)
- Researchers will poll residents about their commuting habits. (Researchers will question residents about their commuting habits.)
Advanced Usage
"To go to the polls": To go to a voting place to cast one's vote.
- The nation will go to the polls next Tuesday. (The nation will vote next Tuesday.)
"Opinion poll" / "Straw poll": A survey of public opinion. A "straw poll" is an unofficial, informal survey.
- The newspaper conducted an opinion poll on the mayor's performance. (The newspaper conducted a survey on the mayor's performance.)
- Let's take a straw poll to see who wants pizza. (Let's take an informal vote to see who wants pizza.)
"Poll tax": A tax levied on every adult, without reference to income or resources.
- The poll tax was historically controversial. (The tax on each person was historically controversial.)
Variants and Related Words
- Pollster (n): A person who conducts or analyzes opinion polls.
- The pollster explained the survey methodology.
- Polling (n): The process of voting at an election or the process of conducting opinion polls.
- Polling stations closed at 8 p.m.
- Pollard (v/n): (Verb) To poll a tree. (Noun) A tree whose top has been cut off to encourage dense growth.
- They pollarded the linden trees along the avenue.
Synonyms
- Noun (Vote count): Tally, count, returns.
- Noun (Survey): Survey, canvass, opinion survey.
- Verb (Receive votes): Get, gain, secure.
- Verb (Cut): Top, prune, trim.
Related Phrasal Verbs
(Note: "Poll" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal uses are typically transitive.)
Related Idioms
- "To stand poll": (Archaic) To be a candidate in an election.
- He stood poll for the county seat. (He was a candidate for the county seat.)
- "A heavy/light poll": A large/small number of votes cast or people voting.
- The bad weather resulted in a light poll. (The bad weather resulted in few people voting.)
Noun
- the counting of votes (as in an election)
- a tame parrot
- the part of the head between the ears
- the top of the head
- an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people
Verb
- convert into a pollard
- pollard trees
- get the votes of
- vote in an election at a polling station
- get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions