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• polo
  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
  Polo

  noun

  Marco c1254–1324, Venetian traveler.

polo

¹ American  

[poh-loh] / ˈpoʊ loʊ /

noun

1. 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.

2. any game broadly resembling this, especially water polo.

3. polo shirt.

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Polo ² American  

[poh-loh] / ˈpoʊ loʊ /

noun

1. Marco c1254–1324, Venetian traveler.

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polo ¹ British  

/ ˈpəʊləʊ /

noun

1. a game similar to hockey played on horseback using long-handled mallets ( polo sticks ) and a wooden ball

2. any of several similar games, such as one played on bicycles

3. short for water polo

4. Also called: polo neck. 

   1. a collar on a garment, worn rolled over to fit closely round the neck

   2. a garment, esp a sweater, with such a collar

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Polo ² British  

/ ˈpəʊləʊ /

noun

1. Marco (ˈmɑːkəʊ). 1254–1324, Venetian merchant, famous for his account of his travels in Asia. After travelling overland to China (1271–75), he spent 17 years serving Kublai Khan before returning to Venice by sea (1292–95)

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Other Word Forms

• poloist
  noun

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

Those horses, clones of the Polo Hall of Fame mare Polo Pureza, have an edit in a gene that regulates muscle development.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

The "last straw" occurred when Littlewood travelled to Brandenburg, Germany, to compete in the European Canoe Polo Championships in September 2023.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

Here’s what to expect when Stagecoach heads to the Empire Polo Club in Indio from April 24 to 26 with Post Malone, Lainey Wilson and Cody Johnson headlining.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Polo shirts and golf caps were listed among the many specific examples of possible uses.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

She watched Big Jerome pick up Little Jerome by the scruff of the neck like he was a puppy and toss him into the pool, upsetting the Marco Polo players.

From "Shadowshaper" by Daniel José Older

Related Words

• blouse
• jersey
• pullover
• tunic
• turtleneck