# poll

/ˈpoʊɫ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/poll
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. opinion survey

noun · CEFR B1

a study where many people are asked the same questions to find out what the general public thinks.

For teachers: a systematic survey of public opinion, typically involving a representative sample of a population.

- A recent poll shows that most people are worried about the environment.
- The latest opinion poll suggests a significant shift in voter sentiment regarding the government's proposed fiscal reforms.

### 2. voting/election

noun · CEFR B2

the process of voting in an election, or the total number of votes recorded.

For teachers: the process of voting in an election, or the resulting count of votes cast.

- The results of the poll will be announced shortly after midnight.
- Voters headed to the polls early this morning to decide the fate of the local council representatives.

### 3. to survey people

verb · CEFR B2

to ask a group of people for their opinions on a specific subject.

For teachers: to record the opinion or vote of a specific group or electorate.

- The researchers polled over a thousand students about their study habits.
- The agency polled a diverse demographic to ensure the market research reflected the country's actual purchasing trends.

### 4. to receive votes

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

to get a certain number of votes in an election.

For teachers: to receive or register a specified number of votes in an election or survey.

- The independent candidate polled more votes than anyone expected.
- Despite a limited campaign budget, the incumbent polled nearly sixty percent of the total electorate in the primary.

### 5. computing status check

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to check the status of a computer or device many times to see if it is ready.

For teachers: to systematically and repeatedly check the status of a peripheral device or process to see if it requires attention.

- The software polls the printer every few seconds to check for paper jams.
- The central processor polls each connected sensor at millisecond intervals to ensure real-time data integrity across the network.

### 6. the head

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

the top or back of the head.

For teachers: the part of the head on which hair grows; the scalp or pate.

- The old man rubbed his bald poll while he thought about the answer.
- The knight received a glancing blow to his poll, which fortunately only dented his heavy steel helmet.

## Examples

- The latest poll shows that most people support the new law.
- The news station conducted a quick poll to see how viewers felt about the proposed changes to the city park.
- While the initial poll suggested a landslide victory for the incumbent, the final results were much closer as late-deciding voters shifted their allegiances at the last minute.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.