dipole

[ dahy-pohl ]

/ ˈdaɪˌpoʊl /

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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.

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Origin of dipole

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

OTHER WORDS FROM dipole

di·po·lar, adjective

Words nearby dipole

dip needle, dip net, dipnoan, dipody, dipolar ion, dipole, dipole moment, dip one's toes into, dip out, dipper, dippy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

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 of dipole

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

Scientific 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.