polo
noun
a game played on horseback between two teams, each of four players, the object being to score points by driving a wooden ball into the opponents' goal using a long-handled mallet.
polo
1 American
[poh-loh]
/ ˈpoʊ loʊ /
noun
-
a game played on horseback between two teams, each of four players, the object being to score points by driving a wooden ball into the opponents' goal using a long-handled mallet.
-
any game broadly resembling this, especially water polo.
Polo
2
American
[poh-loh]
/ ˈpoʊ loʊ /
noun
polo
1
British
/ ˈpəʊləʊ /
noun
-
a game similar to hockey played on horseback using long-handled mallets ( polo sticks ) and a wooden ball
-
any of several similar games, such as one played on bicycles
-
short for water polo
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Also called: polo neck.
-
a collar on a garment, worn rolled over to fit closely round the neck
-
a garment, esp a sweater, with such a collar
-
Polo
2
British
/ ˈpəʊləʊ /
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of polo
1835–45; < Balti (Tibetan language of Kashmir): ball
Explanation
Polo is a game in which players on horseback use long mallets to hit rolling balls. Polo is basically field hockey with horses. Modern polo was developed by British military officers in colonial India during the 19th century, inspired by an ancient South Asian sport. Its nickname, "the sport of kings," reflects polo's reputation as a pastime for the wealthy. To play polo, you need a horse — also known as a polo pony — and to belong to a club where the game can be practiced and played competitively. The name polo comes from the Tibetan pulu, "ball."
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.
See Examples For:
The tall, athletic rugby and polo fan embarked on a decade-long military career that included two Afghanistan deployments, one as a helicopter pilot.
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
In 1980, a standard Ralph Lauren polo was priced at $29.50, according to the Vintage Fashion Guild, a fashion preservation organization.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
The Long Beach Convention Center is hosting handball, water polo and other events, while beach volleyball will be held at Alamitos Beach, and open water swimming and sailing will be at Belmont Shore.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
Divers have said are keen to see the diving pools brought back into use and and water polo and underwater hockey players are hopeful the 50m pool could host matches and tournaments.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
He’s in his Sal’s uniform—a green polo with a pizza-slice logo on the chest and a matching hat.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
"It could also reflect a further change in ritual practice, with an animal taking on the role of a psychopomp, a symbolic helper in the journey to the afterlife," added Molinero Polo.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026
"The quake was very, very strong," said Valeria Polo, a 29 year old content creator in Bogota.
From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026
Liz Luciano, an executive assistant to New York City financial and real-estate firms, frequently has to secure reservations for in-demand restaurants like The Corner Store or The Polo Bar for her bosses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
O'Connor later sold the Volkswagen Polo car for £40 to his friend David Morrison before the vehicle was then put on Facebook Marketplace.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
Sitting within earshot of a group of reporters at the Giants-Green Bay football game at the Polo Grounds in New York, Howard wondered aloud which race he would choose.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
