dipole

noun

di·​pole ˈdī-ˌpōl 

1

a

: a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated especially by a small distance

b

: a body or system (such as a molecule) having such charges or poles

2

: a radio antenna consisting of two horizontal rods in line with each other with their ends slightly separated

dipolar

ˈdī-ˌpō-lər 

ˌdī-ˈpō-

adjective

Examples of dipole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each 1-ton dipole is an 8-meter-long metal barrel, raised by a rod 3.5 meters off the ground. —Byeric Lusito, science.org, 14 June 2024

Trapping molecular ions this way isn't new, but no one had previously thought such traps would work for an electric dipole measurement on electrons. —Luke Caldwell, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024

Some regions are ferroelectric, with all dipoles pointing in the same directions, and others are antiferroelectric, with dipoles pointing in multiple directions, so that these regions can’t store charge. —IEEE Spectrum, 14 May 2024

This effect is due to the interaction between natural electric dipoles in the crystals and mechanical stresses in the crystals’ molecules. —IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing dipole

• dipole moment

Kids Definition

dipole

noun

di·​pole ˈdī-ˌpōl 

: a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated especially by a small distance

Medical Definition

dipole

noun

di·​pole ˈdī-ˌpōl 

1

: a pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles of opposite sign separated by a small distance

2

: a body or system (as a molecule) having such charges