Definition

Noun: 1. The place where people vote: A specific location, such as a building or station, designated for casting votes in an election or referendum. 2. The process of voting or the votes cast: Often used to refer to the act of voting itself or the collective results of an election.

Usage

• The word "polls" is typically used in its plural form, even when referring to a single voting location.
• It is commonly preceded by prepositions like "at," "to," or "from."
• It often appears in contexts discussing elections, civic duty, and public opinion.

Examples

• Referring to a voting location:
  • Voters lined up at the polls early in the morning.
  • The new community center will serve as a polls for the upcoming election.
• Referring to the voting process or results:
  • The candidate was leading in the polls as votes were counted.
  • She went to the polls to exercise her democratic right.

Advanced Usage

• "To go to the polls": This is a fixed phrase meaning to go to vote in an election.
  • A record number of citizens are expected to go to the polls this year.
• "To close the polls": This refers to the official ending of the voting period at a designated time.
  • The election commission will close the polls at 8 PM.

Variants and Related Words

• Poll (Singular noun): Can refer to a survey of public opinion (e.g., an opinion poll) or, less commonly, the head in certain contexts. It is also a verb meaning to record votes or to question people in a survey.
  • The newspaper conducted a poll to gauge public sentiment.
  • The committee will poll its members for their views.
• Polling station (Noun phrase): A more specific term for a place where voting occurs.
  • Her assigned polling station was at the local school.

Synonyms

• Voting booth: A more specific term for the enclosed space where a vote is cast.
• Ballot box: Literally the container for ballots; can metaphorically refer to the voting process.
• Election precinct: An administrative division for voting purposes.

Related Phrases

• Exit poll (Noun phrase): A survey of voters taken immediately after they have exited the polling stations.
  • The exit polls suggested a very close race.
• Opinion poll (Noun phrase): A survey of public opinion on a particular topic.
  • The latest opinion poll shows a shift in attitudes.

Idioms

• "The polls are open/closed": A standard announcement indicating whether voting is currently in session or has ended.
  • Remember, the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• "A heavy/light turnout at the polls": Describes the number of people who have come to vote.
  • Despite the rain, there was a heavy turnout at the polls.

Noun

1. the place where people vote