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• polo
  polo

  noun

  a game played on horseback between two teams, each of four players, the object being to score points by driving a wooden ball into the opponents' goal using a long-handled mallet.
• Polo
  Polo

  noun

  Marco c1254–1324, Venetian traveler.

polo

¹ American  

[poh-loh] / ˈpoʊ loʊ /

noun

1. a game played on horseback between two teams, each of four players, the object being to score points by driving a wooden ball into the opponents' goal using a long-handled mallet.

2. any game broadly resembling this, especially water polo.

3. polo shirt.

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Polo ² American  

[poh-loh] / ˈpoʊ loʊ /

noun

1. Marco c1254–1324, Venetian traveler.

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polo ¹ British  

/ ˈpəʊləʊ /

noun

1. a game similar to hockey played on horseback using long-handled mallets ( polo sticks ) and a wooden ball

2. any of several similar games, such as one played on bicycles

3. short for water polo

4. Also called: polo neck. 

   1. a collar on a garment, worn rolled over to fit closely round the neck

   2. a garment, esp a sweater, with such a collar

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Polo ² British  

/ ˈpəʊləʊ /

noun

1. Marco (ˈmɑːkəʊ). 1254–1324, Venetian merchant, famous for his account of his travels in Asia. After travelling overland to China (1271–75), he spent 17 years serving Kublai Khan before returning to Venice by sea (1292–95)

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Other Word Forms

• poloist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of polo

1835–45; < Balti (Tibetan language of Kashmir): ball

Explanation

Polo is a game in which players on horseback use long mallets to hit rolling balls. Polo is basically field hockey with horses. Modern polo was developed by British military officers in colonial India during the 19th century, inspired by an ancient South Asian sport. Its nickname, "the sport of kings," reflects polo's reputation as a pastime for the wealthy. To play polo, you need a horse — also known as a polo pony — and to belong to a club where the game can be practiced and played competitively. The name polo comes from the Tibetan pulu, "ball."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polo Polo

The tall, athletic rugby and polo fan embarked on a decade-long military career that included two Afghanistan deployments, one as a helicopter pilot.

From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026

In 1980, a standard Ralph Lauren polo was priced at $29.50, according to the Vintage Fashion Guild, a fashion preservation organization.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Two older sisters played water polo at USC, with Rachel now a candidate to play for the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026

Aquatics Center executive director Melanie Sauer said the nonprofit and its many user groups — for youth swimming, Masters swimming, water polo and more — are working fervently to find alternative pools.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

He crossed over and took the lapel of Ginnie’s polo coat between his fingers.

From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger

Heart of Invictus followed wounded and injured military veterans preparing for the Games he founded, while Polo explored another of his passions.

From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026

"It could also reflect a further change in ritual practice, with an animal taking on the role of a psychopomp, a symbolic helper in the journey to the afterlife," added Molinero Polo.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 19, 2026

She used the service to get a table at the hard-to-reserve Polo Bar.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

"The quake was very, very strong," said Valeria Polo, a 29 year old content creator in Bogota.

From Barron's ● Aug. 10, 2026

He had helped to make the Chesterfield cigarette sign at the Polo Grounds.

From "Bad Boy" by Walter Dean Myers

Related Words

• blouse
• jersey
• pullover
• tunic
• turtleneck