dipole

[ dahy-pohl ]

noun

1. Physics, Electricity. a pair of electric point charges or magnetic poles pole of equal magnitude and opposite signs, separated by an infinitesimal distance.
2. Physical Chemistry. a polar molecule.
3. Also called di·pole an·ten·na [dahy, -pohl an-, ten, -, uh]. Radio, Television. an antenna of a transmitter or receiving set consisting of two equal rods extending in opposite direction from the connection to the lead-in wire.

dipole

/ ˈdaɪˌpəʊl /

noun

1. two electric charges or magnetic poles that have equal magnitudes but opposite signs and are separated by a small distance
2. a molecule in which the centre of positive charge does not coincide with the centre of negative charge
3. Also calleddipole aerial a directional radio or television aerial consisting of two equal lengths of metal wire or rods, with a connecting wire fixed between them in the form of a T

dipole

/ dī′pōl′ /

1. A pair of electric charges or magnetic poles, of equal magnitude but of opposite sign or polarity, separated by a small distance.
2. A molecule having two such charges or poles.
3. An antenna consisting of two rods of equal length extending outward in a straight line. Dipole antennas are usually used for frequencies below 30 megahertz.

Derived Forms

• diˈpolar, adjective

Other Words From

• di·po·lar [dahy-, poh, -ler], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dipole¹

First recorded in 1910–15; di- ¹ + pole ²