polls

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polls

Voters line up at the polls to cast their ballots.

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.
polls

Voters line up at the polls to cast their ballots.

Noun
  1. the place where people vote