pole vault

¹ American  

noun

Track.

1. a field event in which a leap or vault over a crossbar is performed with the aid of a long pole.

2. a leap or vault so performed.

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pole-vault ² American  

[pohl-vawlt] / ˈpoʊlˌvɔlt /

verb (used without object)

1. to execute a pole vault.

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pole vault British  

noun

1. a field event in which competitors attempt to clear a high bar with the aid of an extremely flexible long pole

2. a single attempt in the pole vault

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verb

1. (intr) to perform a pole vault or compete in the pole vault

Usage

What does pole vault mean? Pole vault is a track-and-field competition in which athletes attempt to jump over an elevated crossbar by vaulting themselves up and over it with a long, flexible pole. An attempt in this event (the vault itself) is also called a pole vault. A competitor in the pole vault can be called a pole vaulter. Pole vaulters begin each vault attempt with a running start before planting the pole in a “box” on the ground while continuing to hold it, thereby using their momentum to spring into the air as the pole bends and carries them to a position where they can arch their body feet-first over the crossbar. During the competition, the crossbar continues to be raised after each round so that competitors can continue to attempt higher vaults (with some getting eliminated if they knock off the bar or cannot clear it). Competitors usually get three attempts to complete a vault. The pole vault is a track-and-field event in the summer Olympic Games (the Summer Games) and it is also part of the modern decathlon. The track-and-field event known as the high jump also involves clearing a cross bar at the highest possible height, but high jumpers do this simply by leaping over the bar (without using a pole to vault themselves). Example: I am training for the pole vault and the high jump with my track-and-field team.

Other Word Forms

• pole-vaulter noun

Etymology

Origin of pole vault¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Origin of pole-vault²

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Cassidy Nguyễn from Los Alamitos won the girls’ pole vault at 13 feet and Aliso Niguel’s Dane Malloy won the boys triple jump at 48-5.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 19, 2026

Molly Caudery reclaimed the women's pole vault crown by clearing a height of 4.65m with Owen Heard winning the men's title with an effort of 5.55m.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

The 25-year-old has now claimed the past eight global men's pole vault gold medals on offer across both indoor and outdoor competitions following this triumph in the Japanese capital.

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025

Duplantis has already won every major gold available to him, while last year he became the first man to retain the Olympic pole vault title for 68 years at Paris 2024.

From BBC • Sep. 15, 2025

“So what do you want me to do? Coach track? Maybe the high jump? Or the pole vault? I’m a heck of a pole vaulter.”

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt