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liberty pole

American  
[lib-er-tee pohl] / ˈlɪb ər ti ˌpoʊl /

noun

  1. Also called liberty tree. American History. a pole or tree, often with a liberty cap or a banner at the top, usually located on a village green or in a market square, used by the Sons of Liberty in many colonial towns as a symbol of protest against British rule and around which anti-British rallies were held.

  2. a tall flagpole, traditionally with a liberty cap at the top, serving as a symbol of liberty.


Etymology

Origin of liberty pole

First recorded in 1760–70


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:

They put one broken half of Plymouth Rock into the wagon, and the 30 oxen had an easier trip up Cole’s Hill, and they deposited it beside the liberty pole.

From Slate ● Nov. 28, 2024

The liberty pole tradition traces its roots to ancient Rome, where a group of senators celebrated the emperor’s assassination by sticking a red cap on top of a pole.

From Slate ● Nov. 28, 2024

They have put up a liberty pole, which is essentially just that: a big wooden pole.

From Slate ● Nov. 28, 2024

In New York a liberty pole was set up with a splendid new flag on which was inscribed, "The King, Pitt, and Liberty."

From The Little Book of the Flag by Eva March Tappan

And when later on Andy told them of the contemplated race, they declared that everybody in Hazenhurst would surely be on hand to see the two contestants turn around the liberty pole.

From The Airplane Boys among the Clouds or, Young Aviators in a Wreck by John Luther Langworthy

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