poll

Universal Words noun, verb noun 1 (also opinion poll) [C] the process of questioning people who are representative of a larger group in order to get information about the general opinion: to carry out / conduct a poll * A recent poll suggests some surprising changes in public opinion. * A nationwide poll revealed different food preferences in the North and the South. 2 [C] (also the polls [pl.]) the process of voting at an election; the process of counting the votes: The final result of the poll will be known tomorrow. * Their defeat at the polls came as a big shock. * Thursday is traditionally the day when Britain goes to the polls (= when elections are held). * Polls close (= voting ends) at 9 p.m. 3 [sing.] the number of votes given in an election: Labour is ahead in the poll. * They gained 20% of the poll. seealsoDEEDPOLL, EXITPOLL, STRAWPOLL verb 1 to receive a particular number of votes in an election: [VN] They polled 39% of the vote in the last election. * [V] The Republicans have polled well (= received many votes) in recent elections. 2 [VN] [usuallypassive] to ask a large number of members of the public what they think about sth: Over 50% of those polled were against the proposed military action.