dipole

noun

di·​pole ˈdī-ˌpōl How to pronounce dipole (audio)
1
a
: a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated especially by a small distance
b
: a body or system (such as a molecule) having such charges or poles
2
: a radio antenna consisting of two horizontal rods in line with each other with their ends slightly separated
dipolar
ˈdī-ˌpō-lər How to pronounce dipole (audio)
ˌdī-ˈpō-
adjective

Examples of dipole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Each 1-ton dipole is an 8-meter-long metal barrel, raised by a rod 3.5 meters off the ground. Byeric Lusito, science.org, 14 June 2024 Trapping molecular ions this way isn't new, but no one had previously thought such traps would work for an electric dipole measurement on electrons. Luke Caldwell, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024 Some regions are ferroelectric, with all dipoles pointing in the same directions, and others are antiferroelectric, with dipoles pointing in multiple directions, so that these regions can’t store charge. IEEE Spectrum, 14 May 2024 This effect is due to the interaction between natural electric dipoles in the crystals and mechanical stresses in the crystals’ molecules. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for dipole 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dipole.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dipole was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near dipole

Cite this Entry

“Dipole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dipole. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

dipole

noun
di·​pole ˈdī-ˌpōl How to pronounce dipole (audio)
: a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated especially by a small distance

Medical Definition

dipole

noun
di·​pole ˈdī-ˌpōl How to pronounce dipole (audio)
1
: a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated by a small distance
2
: a body or system (as a molecule) having such charges

More from Merriam-Webster on dipole

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