dipole

American  

[dahy-pohl] / ˈdaɪˌpoʊl /

noun

1. Physics, Electricity. a pair of electric point charges or magnetic poles of equal magnitude and opposite signs, separated by an infinitesimal distance.

2. Physical Chemistry. a polar molecule.

3. Also called dipole antenna.  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.

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dipole British  

/ 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 called: dipole 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

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dipole Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• dipolar adjective

Etymology

Origin of dipole

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

Example Sentences

These tiny magnets are called magnetic dipole moments.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

Further tests of the generalized dipole model are expected in the coming years.

From Science Daily • Jan. 5, 2026

Earth's dipole field, created by its liquid outer iron core, produces a magnetic field that loops from the North Pole to the South Pole and is the reason compasses point toward the poles.

From Science Daily • Nov. 25, 2024

However, their transition rate is substantially lower compared with electric dipole moments.

From Science Daily • Feb. 27, 2024

The approved wire dipole antennas were supposed to be placed within a two-by-four-foot area on the wall—where, apparently, they did no good at all.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover