pol

¹

[pol]

noun

Informal.

1. a politician, especially one experienced in making political deals, exchanging political favors, etc.

POL

²

1. petroleum, oil, and lubricants.

pol.

³

abbreviation

1. political.

2. politics.

Pol.

⁴

abbreviation

1. Poland.

2. Also Pol Polish.

Pol.

¹

abbreviation

1. Poland

2. Polish

POL

²

abbreviation

1. petroleum, oil, and lubricants

Word History and Origins

Origin of pol¹

First recorded in 1940–45; by shortening

Example Sentences

“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform, Saturday night.

From Los Angeles Times

Is it a case of rote journalistic convention that turns Trump’s demented ravings into something resembling the blandly acceptable “policy statements” of a typical gladhanding pol?

From Salon

I asked the veteran pol whether he’d noticed a decline in state Capitol coverage.

From Los Angeles Times

Whispers that Gonzalez is a puppet of Latino politicians based in the eastern portion of the Coachella Valley who have increasingly clashed over resources with pols in the wealthier, whiter western communities.

From Los Angeles Times

Some days it feels as if that kindly Uncle Joe has been replaced by a cranky old pol annoyed at voters who don’t give him credit for a strong economy.

From Los Angeles Times

When To Use

What does pol mean?

Pol is an informal word for a politician—a person who holds or is seeking political office as an elected government official.Like the word politician, pol is most commonly used in the context of politicians campaigning, giving speeches, and promoting themselves, as opposed to the activities that they do as part of being a government official—voting, debating issues, and working to find solutions to problems (in which case a politician might be called a representative or officeholder—or a legislator or lawmaker, if they work in a lawmaking capacity).Pol is especially used to refer to a long-term politician who’s experienced in making political deals or exchanging political favors.For that reason, it’s often used in a negative way, such as to refer to politicians who are considered members of the establishment.The informal term politico can be used to mean the same thing.Example: We should be focusing on real issues instead of listening to endless rhetoric from pols and pundits.