Dictionary.com
definitions

liberty pole

|

noun

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

Origin of liberty pole

First recorded in 1760–70
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for liberty pole

Historical Examples of liberty pole

  • The priest was going for a sign to cut down the liberty-pole.

    The Maine Woods

    Henry David Thoreau

  • "You might inlist as a liberty-pole," said I, in a silvery whisper.

    The Complete Works of Artemus Ward

    Charles Farrar Browne (AKA Artemus Ward)

  • Then they destroyed a quantity of flour, cut down the liberty-pole, and set fire to the courthouse.

  • No liberty-pole is erected or erecting here; but the people seem much more spirited than they did before the alarm.

    Nathan Hale

    Jean Christie Root

  • Captain Minot, with the alarm company, remained in town, and took possession of the hill near the liberty-pole.