polls
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- the place where people vote