Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. the counting of votes (as in an election)
2. a tame parrot
3. the part of the head between the ears
4. the top of the head
5. an inquiry into public opinion conducted by interviewing a random sample of people

Verb

1. convert into a pollard
   • pollard trees
2. get the votes of
3. vote in an election at a polling station
4. get the opinions (of people) by asking specific questions