dipole

[ dahy-pohl ]

/ ˈdaɪˌpoʊl /

noun

Physics, Electricity. a pair of electric point charges or magnetic poles of equal magnitude and opposite signs, separated by an infinitesimal distance.

Physical Chemistry. a polar molecule.

Also called dipole antenna. Radio, Television. an antenna of a transmitter or receiving set consisting of two equal rods extending in opposite direction from the connection to the lead-in wire.

Nearby words

diploë, dipmet, dipnoan, dipody, dipolar ion, dipole, dipole moment, dipper, dippy, dipropellant, dipropyltryptamine

Origin of dipole

First recorded in 1910–15; di-¹ + pole²

Related forms

di·po·lar, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for dipole

dipole

/ (ˈdaɪˌpəʊl) /

noun

two electric charges or magnetic poles that have equal magnitudes but opposite signs and are separated by a small distance

a molecule in which the centre of positive charge does not coincide with the centre of negative charge

Also called: dipole aerial a directional radio or television aerial consisting of two equal lengths of metal wire or rods, with a connecting wire fixed between them in the form of a T

Derived Forms

dipolar, adjective

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

Science definitions for dipole

dipole

[ dī′pōl′ ]

A pair of electric charges or magnetic poles, of equal magnitude but of opposite sign or polarity, separated by a small distance.

A molecule having two such charges or poles.

An antenna consisting of two rods of equal length extending outward in a straight line. Dipole antennas are usually used for frequencies below 30 megahertz.