1
: head
2
a
: the top or back of the head
b
: nape
3
: the broad or flat end of a striking tool (such as a hammer)
4
a(1)
: the casting or recording of the votes of a body of persons
(2)
: a counting of votes cast
b
: the place where votes are cast or recorded
—usually used in plural
at the polls
c
: the period of time during which votes may be cast at an election
d
: the total number of votes recorded
a heavy poll
5
a
: a questioning or canvassing of persons selected at random or by quota to obtain information or opinions to be analyzed
b
: a record of the information so obtained
polled; polling; polls
1
2
a
: to cut off or back the top of (something, such as a tree)
specifically
: pollard
b
: to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle)
3
a
: to receive and record the votes of
b
: to request each member of to declare a vote individually
poll the assembly
4
: to receive (votes) in an election
5
: to question or canvass in a poll
6
: to check (devices, such as several computer terminals sharing a single line) in sequence for messages waiting to be transmitted
: to cast one's vote at a poll
Synonyms
Examples of poll in a Sentence
Noun
The magazine conducted a poll to find out the favorite 100 movies of all time.
A recent poll shows a decrease in the number of teenagers who smoke.
The polls are open until 8:00 tonight.
Verb
About half of the people polled had tried smoking.
The conservative candidate polled more than 10,000 votes in the last election.
Recent Examples on the Web
Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023
Alabama’s streak of top 10 AP poll appearances ends with a fall to No. 13.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023
The Vandals, ranked 10th in the FCS coaches’ poll, were up 17-0.
—Bill Oram, oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
For Ramaswamy, battling DeSantis for second place in primary polls, Wednesday night’s rally in Davenport marked his 100th Iowa event, spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Sept. 8) on Billboard, choosing the new solo collection as their favorite music release of the past week – with 96% of the vote.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023
This poll asks active investment managers what percentage of their portfolios are in stocks.
—Michael Joseph, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
Nevertheless, the Cougars were picked to win the Big 12 in their first year, per a preseason poll voted on by the conference’s head coaches.
—Alex Vejar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
Majority of Americans support labor unions More than two-thirds of Americans approve of labor unions, according to a poll from Gallup.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected the index to slip to 69.2.
—WSJ, 18 Sep. 2023
Alabama’s Week 4 opponent, Ole Miss (3-0), rose three spots to No. 16 in the coaches poll.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023
The candidate with the next highest portion of votes nationally is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who earned support from 13% of those polled.
—Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 15 Sep. 2023
This political divide results in many more ways that potential dates can give women the ick.
Change Research polled 1,033 people aged 18–34 in the last week of August and found that 64 percent of women are politically left of center, as are 86 percent of trans and nonbinary people.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023
The destination sequel garnered a dismal 28% rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a B grade from audiences polled by CinemaScore.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
The entrepreneur is often polling in second or third place above more established politicians seeking the White House, which has led to pointed attacks from Pence and Haley on the debate stage and the campaign trail.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2023
Members of Ward's family hugged and wept softly in the courtroom as the verdict was read and as Judge Laura Crivello polled the jurors on their decision.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2023
See More
Noun
The same trio of Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss were ranked in that poll.
—Matt Cohen | McOhen@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023
Alabama’s streak of top 10 AP poll appearances ends with a fall to No. 13.
—Nathan Baird, cleveland, 17 Sep. 2023
The Vandals, ranked 10th in the FCS coaches’ poll, were up 17-0.
—Bill Oram, oregonlive, 17 Sep. 2023
For Ramaswamy, battling DeSantis for second place in primary polls, Wednesday night’s rally in Davenport marked his 100th Iowa event, spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.
—Steve Peoples, Chicago Tribune, 16 Sep. 2023
Music fans voted in a poll published Friday (Sept. 8) on Billboard, choosing the new solo collection as their favorite music release of the past week – with 96% of the vote.
—Lars Brandle, Billboard, 15 Sep. 2023
This poll asks active investment managers what percentage of their portfolios are in stocks.
—Michael Joseph, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023
Nevertheless, the Cougars were picked to win the Big 12 in their first year, per a preseason poll voted on by the conference’s head coaches.
—Alex Vejar, The Salt Lake Tribune, 14 Sep. 2023
Majority of Americans support labor unions More than two-thirds of Americans approve of labor unions, according to a poll from Gallup.
—Sara Chernikoff, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2023
Verb
Candidates must poll at 3% in two national polls or 3% in one national poll and 3% in one early state poll from two separate early-voting states — Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina — recognized by the Republican National Committee.
—Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2023
Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected the index to slip to 69.2.
—WSJ, 18 Sep. 2023
Alabama’s Week 4 opponent, Ole Miss (3-0), rose three spots to No. 16 in the coaches poll.
—Nick Alvarez | Nalvarez@al.com, al, 17 Sep. 2023
The candidate with the next highest portion of votes nationally is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who earned support from 13% of those polled.
—Ben Kamisar, NBC News, 15 Sep. 2023
This political divide results in many more ways that potential dates can give women the ick.
Change Research polled 1,033 people aged 18–34 in the last week of August and found that 64 percent of women are politically left of center, as are 86 percent of trans and nonbinary people.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 13 Sep. 2023
The destination sequel garnered a dismal 28% rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes, as well as a B grade from audiences polled by CinemaScore.
—Christi Carras, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
The entrepreneur is often polling in second or third place above more established politicians seeking the White House, which has led to pointed attacks from Pence and Haley on the debate stage and the campaign trail.
—Mabinty Quarshie, Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2023
Members of Ward's family hugged and wept softly in the courtroom as the verdict was read and as Judge Laura Crivello polled the jurors on their decision.
—Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 1 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poll.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English pol, polle, from Middle Low German
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of poll was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing poll
Articles Related to poll
Dictionary Entries Near poll
Cite this Entry
“Poll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poll. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
poll
1 of 2 noun1
b
: the top or back of the head
2
a
: the casting or recording of votes
b
: the place where votes are cast or recorded
—usually used in plural
at the polls
3
: a questioning of persons to obtain information or opinions
poll
2 of 2 verb1
a
: to take and record the votes of
b
: to request each member of to declare his or her vote individually
poll a jury
2
: to receive votes in an election
the candidate polled 10,000 votes
3
: to question (people) or cover (an area) in a poll
4
: to cast one's vote at a poll
Medical Definition
poll
1 of 3 noun
: the head or a part of it
especially
: the region between the ears of some quadrupeds (as a horse)
poll
2 of 3 transitive verb
: to cut off or cut short the horns of (cattle)
poll
3 of 3 adjective
: having no horns
More from Merriam-Webster on poll
Nglish: Translation of poll for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of poll for Arabic Speakers
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