poll

A study that asks a group of people what they think about something and counts their answers.

• The poll asked about shopping habits.
• A recent poll shows growing support for the plan.
• They conducted two polls before launching the product.

How to use it: a poll of someone (A poll of local residents showed strong support.); a poll on something (The newspaper published a poll on transport costs.)

Similar words: survey

Common phrases: opinion poll, conduct a poll, poll results, a recent poll

An official vote to choose someone or decide something.

• The council held a poll.
• Thousands went to the polls on Sunday.
• She won the poll with a large majority.

Similar words: vote, election, ballot

Common phrases: go to the poll, win the poll, hold a poll

A place where people go to vote, usually referred to in the plural.

• The polls open at seven.
• Voters queued outside the polls in the rain.
• She arrived just before the polls closed.

Similar words: polling place, polling station

Common phrases: at the poll, outside the poll

To ask a group of people their opinions and count their answers.

• We polled fifty shoppers.
• Most people polled preferred the smaller design.
• The newspaper polls readers on local issues every month.

How to use it: poll someone on/about something (The researchers polled parents about school lunches.)

Similar words: survey, canvass

Common phrases: poll voters, poll local residents, poll someone about something

To receive or record a particular number of votes in an election.

• She polled eight hundred votes.
• Their party polled fewer votes than expected.
• He polled a clear majority in the final ballot.

How to use it: poll + number/percentage of votes (The candidate polled forty percent of the votes.)

Similar words: receive, obtain, garner

Common phrases: poll more votes, poll ten percent, poll a majority

To cut something off or cut it short, especially hair, wool, or grass.

• The barber polled his hair.
• They polled the sheep's wool with sharp shears.
• The gardener polled the grass close to the ground.

Similar words: clip, crop, shear

Common phrases: poll the hair, poll the wool, poll the grass

Naturally without horns because of breeding.

• The farm raises poll cattle.
• They bought a poll bull for breeding.
• A poll Hereford has no horns.

Similar words: polled, hornless

Opposites: horned

Common phrases: poll cattle, poll bull, poll Hereford