Pole vs. Poll
“Pole” and “poll” are commonly confused sound-alikes with different meanings. “Pole” includes the long-stick/support sense and other established meanings; “poll” is used for surveys, voting, and the collection of opinions or votes.
Use “pole” for a long support and its other established pole senses; use “poll” for an opinion survey or voting-related use.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning | Choose | Example |
|---|---|---|
| long support / polar or related pole sense | pole | a flag pole |
| survey or voting | poll | an opinion poll |
Further guidance
Context Test
If the sentence is about asking people for opinions or voting, “poll” is the relevant spelling; if it is about a long support or geographic/electrical pole sense, use “pole.”
Core difference
Use “pole” for the physical/support and other established pole senses; use “poll” for surveys, voting, and related opinion/election uses.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- pole — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Definitions and uses of pole
- poll — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Definitions and uses of poll