pollpoll1 /pəʊlpoʊl/ noun [countableC]1an occasion when a large number of people are asked questions, to find out about the public’s opinions or behaviourMORIconducted a poll among senior managers to get their views on taxation.
A recentopinion poll put him in third place.
According to our poll, Scandinavians buy shares more than other Europeans.
→ exit poll → Gallup poll → straw poll2the polls [plural] an election to choose a government or a political representativeThe ruling Social Democrats suffered their worst defeat at the polls in 60 years.
In Oklahoma, voters may go to the polls (=vote in an election) as early as September.
3an occasion when the members of a company vote for or against something in a meetingBoth directors were elected after a poll of shareholders.
4the poll the number of votes recorded at an electionThe winning party must gain at least 50% of the poll.