pole vault

¹

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.

pole-vault

²

[pohl-vawlt]

verb (used without object)

1. to execute a pole vault.

pole vault

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

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• pole-vaulter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pole vault¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Origin of pole vault²

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

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

"The pole vault mats are meant to be soft, she must have caught her ankle at a terrible angle. It's devastating."

From BBC

“Our dad introduced us to the pole vault. We just fell in love with it - a kind of domino effect.”

From BBC

Swedish pole vault star Armand Duplantis warmed up for his bid for a third consecutive world title by securing his fifth straight Diamond League trophy.

From BBC

Britain's Molly Caudery began her 2025 outdoor season with victory in the pole vault at the Diamond League meeting in Doha.

From BBC

When To Use

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.