flagpole

[flag-pohl]

noun

1. a staff or pole on which a flag is or can be displayed.

flagpole

/ ˈflæɡˌstɑːf, ˈflæɡˌpəʊl /

noun

1. a pole or staff on which a flag is hoisted and displayed

2. to pursue a tentative course of action in order to gauge the reaction it receives

Word History and Origins

Origin of flagpole¹

First recorded in 1880–85; flag ¹ + pole ¹

Example Sentences

Penn makes him strut like he’s got a flagpole up his rear.

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Although the Beverly Hills Unified Board of Education initially approved a plan to display Israeli flags on campuses, there was never any intention to fly them from a flagpole, according to a district spokesperson.

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The department did not confirm that the Irish flag was erected on the flagpole.

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The cabinet then confirmed the union flag would be flown from the flagpole, which will also be use to mark events such as Armed Forces Day, Commonwealth Day and Armistice Day.

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He is accused of injuring a police officer with a flagpole on June 11 after officers ordered protesters to disperse outside a Whittier hotel where federal immigration agents were rumored to be staying.

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Related Words

• beam 
• leg 
• mast 
• rod 
• stick