a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic
"The surveyor held the pole steady while measuring the distance across the field."
a native or inhabitant of Poland
"The Polish chef proudly wore her pole hat to celebrate International Women's Day in Warsaw."
one of two divergent or mutually exclusive opinions
"they are at opposite poles"
"they are poles apart"
one of two points of intersection of the Earth's axis and the celestial sphere
"The astronomers measured the altitude of the North Pole in the night sky to determine their latitude."
one of two antipodal points where the Earth's axis of rotation intersects the Earth's surface
"The explorers planted their flags at both poles to mark the northernmost and southernmost points on Earth."
a long fiberglass sports implement used for pole vaulting
"The athlete ran down the track and planted the flexible fiberglass pole to launch himself over the high bar."
one of the two ends of a magnet where the magnetism seems to be concentrated
"The compass needle always points north because its south pole is attracted to Earth's magnetic north pole."
Originally, a stick; now specifically, a long and slender piece of metal or (especially) wood, used for various construction or support purposes.
"The event celebrated the achievements of pole immigrants who built new lives in America."
Either of the two points on the earth's surface around which it rotates; also, similar points on any other rotating object.
A person from Poland or of Polish descent.
In plain English: A pole is a long, thin stick that stands upright and often has something attached to its top.
"The sailors climbed up the tall wooden pole to fix the sail."
Usage: Use "pole" to refer either to a long stick used for support or stability, such as a tent pole, or to one of two opposite points on Earth's surface where rotation occurs. When discussing geography, remember that every location has both a North and South pole, whereas in construction contexts the term simply describes any slender rod providing structural aid.
deoxidize molten metals by stirring them with a wooden pole
"The foundry worker used a long wooden pole to stir and deoxidize the molten copper in the crucible."
To propel by pushing with poles, to push with a pole.
"The applied electric field will pole the ceramic material to restore its piezoelectric properties after it has been depolarized by heat."
To induce piezoelectricity in (a substance) by aligning the dipoles.
In plain English: To pole means to move something by pushing it with long poles, often used when navigating through shallow water without an engine.
"The team had to pole their boat upstream against the strong current."
A surname.
"My neighbor, Mr. Pole, greeted me at the gate."
The word "pole" entered English via Middle English to describe a stake or post used for support. Its roots trace back through Old French and Latin origins meaning something that is nailed down or firmly fixed in place.