polo

¹ American  

[poh-loh] / ˈpoʊ loʊ /

noun

1. a game played on horseback between two teams, each of four players, the object being to score points by driving a wooden ball into the opponents' goal using a long-handled mallet.

2. any game broadly resembling this, especially water polo.

3. polo shirt.

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Polo ² American  

[poh-loh] / ˈpoʊ loʊ /

noun

1. Marco c1254–1324, Venetian traveler.

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polo ¹ British  

/ ˈpəʊləʊ /

noun

1. a game similar to hockey played on horseback using long-handled mallets ( polo sticks ) and a wooden ball

2. any of several similar games, such as one played on bicycles

3. short for water polo

4. Also called: polo neck. 

   1. a collar on a garment, worn rolled over to fit closely round the neck

   2. a garment, esp a sweater, with such a collar

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Polo ² British  

/ ˈpəʊləʊ /

noun

1. Marco (ˈmɑːkəʊ). 1254–1324, Venetian merchant, famous for his account of his travels in Asia. After travelling overland to China (1271–75), he spent 17 years serving Kublai Khan before returning to Venice by sea (1292–95)

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Other Word Forms

• poloist noun

Etymology

Origin of polo

1835–45; < Balti (Tibetan language of Kashmir): ball

Explanation

Polo is a game in which players on horseback use long mallets to hit rolling balls. Polo is basically field hockey with horses. Modern polo was developed by British military officers in colonial India during the 19th century, inspired by an ancient South Asian sport. Its nickname, "the sport of kings," reflects polo's reputation as a pastime for the wealthy. To play polo, you need a horse — also known as a polo pony — and to belong to a club where the game can be practiced and played competitively. The name polo comes from the Tibetan pulu, "ball."

Example Sentences

Inspired by the global reach and scale of Poetic Kinetics’ “Escape Velocity,” NewSubstance first arrived on the polo field in 2016 to brainstorm.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Scottish Swimming, the national governing body for swimming, diving, open water, artistic swimming and water polo in Scotland, said it was "disappointed" by South Ayrshire Council's decision.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

While Ahmadinejad was dressed in “vintage, early 1980s” clothes, Larijani came from “the opposite end of the sartorial spectrum: suave, wearing a carefully pressed Ralph Lauren polo shirt,” Straw wrote in his memoir.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 8, 2026

Sophia Panossian, a water polo player at the University of Michigan, urged viewers to help her “get ready with me” by checking Kalshi’s weather odds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Then I saw the surprise register on his face that I should know about his feelings for the polo shirt.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro

Related Words

• blouse
• jersey
• pullover
• tunic
• turtleneck