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to pole

to pole

3 6.3
To move or stir something with a long stick
  • verb
  • /poʊl/
translation icon : empujar con pértiga
  • Trees loomed above them through the mist like towering observers as they poled their way down the narrow channels that coursed through a system of small islands.
  • pole the boat
  • pole the skiff
  • pole the canoe

Examples

  • We poled our way in a flat-bottomed fishing boat that scraped against marsh grass, and walked so far that we were exhausted, only to pole our way through more marsh in a boat we stole.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • But he was not strong enough to pole all the way across the swamp.

  • The men have poled a long way into the swamp.

  • Graham swims ahead of me as I pole myself along the bottom, hoping no fishermen are along the banks.

    Academic text (1991)
  • It's hard for Dayindi… it's his first time to pole the canoe.

  • Past decrepit and mournful willows, I poled, tense with adventure.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The guide showed us how to pole the canoe through the narrow channel.

  • Using a long stick, she began to pole the small boat across the pond.

  • He carefully poles his raft along the shallow bank to avoid the rocks.

Synonyms

to punt
vsto pole
  • UK
1 7.9

To move a flat bottom boat by pushing a long pole against the riverbed

is a general action used in many situations, not only to move boats

Idioms

2 7.6

A person who has a low rank in a group or at work

7.9

In a position of power or importance in a group

Refuse to be involved with people or things that seem dangerous and dishonest

9.9

The highest and hardest job to get in politics or business

9.9

To use the mouth to touch a man's penis

Not wanting to be near or involved with anything at all

Compounds

76 3.1

The northernmost point on Earth where the Earth's axis meets its surface

22 3.2

The very southern point on Earth where the planet spins

A tall wooden or concrete post that holds telephone wires above the ground

12 1.4

A long thin rod used to catch fish by holding a line and throwing it into the water

The place at the front of the race where the fastest racer starts

3 4.4

An athletic event where athletes use a long pole to jump over a high bar

3 5.8

A tall carved wooden post made by northwest coast native people showing family or legend figures

A point on Earth where the force that makes compasses point goes straight down or up

3 2.5

A long thin pole with a pointed metal tip that skiers use to help balance and push on snow

2 4.0

An athlete who uses a long pole to jump over a high bar

Jumping over a high bar using a long pole for support

A tall wooden or metal post that holds telephone wires above the ground

1 5.6

The star nearly above Earth's North Pole used to find direction at night

celestial pole
  • Specialized
1 8.8

One of the two points in the sky where the line Earth spins around seems to meet the stars

1 3.8

A climbing bean plant that wraps around supports like poles or trellises

A pole with red and white spiral stripes that shows where people get haircuts or shaves

A long pole used to push and guide a boat like a barge on a canal

An end of a magnet where its force is strongest

8.4

A tall pole that holds wires for climbing plants used to make beer

7.3

The end of a magnet that points toward the Earth's south

negative pole
  • Specialized
3.9

The end of a magnet that points toward the Earth's south

negative pole
  • Specialized
4.0

The end of a battery marked with a minus sign that connects to the black wire

North Celestial Pole
  • Specialized
8.2

A point in the sky above Earth's North Pole that stars appear to turn around and is near Polaris

north-seeking pole
  • Specialized
6.1

The end of a magnet that points toward Earth's north when it hangs freely

range pole
  • Specialized
7.9

A long straight rod with red and white bands that people who measure land use to line up points

8.5

A long straight pole with red and white bands used to mark positions when measuring land

pole horse
  • Jargon
9.4

A horse starting closest to the inside rail in a harness race

pole horse
  • Archaic
9.9

A horse hitched beside the pole of a wagon or carriage to pull it

A person who uses a long pole to jump over a high bar in sport

A sport where a person uses a long pole to jump over a high bar

4.8

A sport where a person uses a long pole to jump over a high bar

6.1

A person or idea that guides and inspires someone

A long wooden pole with a sharp or heavy end used for fighting

A tool with a long pole attached to reach things

pole-jocking
  • Slang
9.9

Trying to get attention by showing off in a silly or rude way

9.9

An insulting word for a gay man or someone seen as very sexual

6.0

The end of a magnet that points toward the north when it hangs freely

positive pole
  • Specialized
3.5

A battery terminal marked with a plus sign that connects to the red wire

positive pole
  • Specialized
4.4

The end of a magnet that points north when the magnet hangs freely

A ski pole made from strong Tonkin cane bamboo that is flexible and lasts a long time

A ski pole made from strong Tonkin bamboo that bends without breaking

South Celestial Pole
  • Specialized
7.2

The point in the sky above Earth's South Pole that the stars appear to turn around

south-seeking pole
  • Specialized
7.8

The end of a magnet that points toward the Earth's south when it hangs freely

Surface Forms

pole infinitive
poled past
poled past participle
poles present participle
poles third person singular

Etymology

Pole as a verb comes from the noun pole, a long stick. To 'pole' something simply means to use a pole to move or work with it, so the action is named after the tool.