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Glite Dictionary
maypole dance

maypole dance

1 7.7
A group dance around a tall pole decorated with ribbons and flowers
  • noun
  • /ˈmeɪˌpoʊl dæns/
translation icon : danza del mayo
  • Every year, we celebrate with a maypole dance on May Day.

Examples

  • Every spring, children participate in the maypole dance at the village green.

  • Spectators gathered to watch the lively maypole dance during the festival.

  • The maypole dance involves weaving colorful ribbons in patterns as dancers move around the pole.

  • The children performed a maypole dance during the festival.

  • The children eagerly practiced their steps for the maypole dance that would take place on May Day.

  • During the village festival, everyone gathered around the tall pole to join in the maypole dance with bright ribbons.

  • Each year, the community celebrates spring with a colorful maypole dance full of laughter and joy.

Synonyms

traditional dance
vsmaypole dance
1 2.8

A dance from a community that people learn from their grandparents

is a specific English folk dance done around a decorated tall pole on May Day

Surface Forms

maypole dance singular
maypole dances plural

Morphology

maypole + dance

The meaning 'a traditional dance performed around a decorated pole' is directly and compositionally derived from 'maypole' (a decorated pole for traditional dances) + 'dance' (a sequence of choreographed movements). While the cultural concept of a maypole may be specific, once the learner knows 'maypole' the compound follows normal noun+noun composition and is immediately comprehensible.

Etymology

Maypole dance comes from old spring festivals where people danced around a tall pole called the maypole, decorated with flowers and long ribbons. As dancers crossed and wrapped the ribbons they made bright patterns around the pole, so the phrase now names the lively 'May Day' dance that celebrates 'spring'.