pole position

American

noun

a position on the inside of the track in any race.
(in auto racing) a starting position on the inside of the front row.
an advantageous position.

pole position British

noun

(in motor racing) the starting position on the inside of the front row, generally considered the best one
an advantageous starting position

"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

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.

The Dutchman has won the past five Japanese Grands Prix from pole position, which was claimed this time by Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Last year, Verstappen's pole position lap to beat the two McLarens was widely hailed as one of his greatest and it proved the foundation of a defensive victory against Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

In 49 Truck Series starts, Dye has two finishes in the Top 5 and 10 finishes in the Top 10, earning one pole position.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

First, OpenAI would have to lose its AI pole position.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

You’re in pole position to leap into retirement.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023