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

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

Under mid-infrared illumination, this material transforms into a state of permanently ordered electrical dipoles, which is absent in its equilibrium phase diagram.

From Science Daily

The scientists demonstrate how observations of the rate of decrease of the Sun's dipole magnetic field can be usefully combined with sunspot observations to predict when the ongoing cycle would peak.

From Science Daily

At this point, the star’s magnetic field was arranged as a relatively tidy dipole, where one pole is positively charged, and the other pole negatively charged.

From Scientific American

At solar minimum, the sun's magnetic field is strong and organized, with two clear poles like a normal dipole magnet, James said.

From Scientific American