Maypole

American

[mey-pohl] / ˈmeɪˌpoʊl /

noun

(often lowercase)

a tall pole, decorated with flowers and ribbons, around which people dance or engage in sports during May Day celebrations.

maypole British

/ ˈmeɪˌpəʊl /

noun

a tall pole fixed upright in an open space during May-Day celebrations, around which people dance holding streamers attached at its head

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Maypole

First recorded in 1545–55; May + pole ¹

Vocabulary lists containing maypole

Excerpt from "A Midsummer Night's Dream"

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I added colorful leis and flowers to create a Maypole vibe.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 24, 2020

Maypole, who also is a cartoonist, has been illustrating tips and advice about the virus that can be found on Twitter.

From Washington Post • Mar. 14, 2020

The meeting was held in the Maypole pub next to the ADC theatre, home of the Footlights.

From The Guardian • Oct. 26, 2019

However, Mark Vipond, chair of the Maypole Trust, said the centuries-old method had since been scrapped in favour of a crane after insurers caught wind.

From BBC • Jan. 1, 2019

One day in early April, during recess, Mrs. Butler ushered us outside on the playground and measured us for the Maypole dance.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023