polo

noun

po·​lo ˈpō-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce polo (audio)
1
: a game played by teams of players on horseback using mallets with long flexible handles to drive a wooden ball through goalposts
2
: water polo
3
: polo shirt
poloist
ˈpō-(ˌ)lō-ist How to pronounce polo (audio)
noun

Examples of polo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pieces in the collection range from $98 to $218 and include polos, a skort and a lightweight windbreaker, with performance features such as four-way stretch, moisture management and weather-resistant fabrics. — Mike Dojc, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026 That new deal includes Prince Harry and Markle’s Archewell Productions teaming with the streamer on a series about polo. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026 Plus, get instantly office-ready in a short-sleeve polo that pairs well with your favorite trousers. — Caitlyn Fitzpatrick, InStyle, 18 Aug. 2026 The cofounder and head honcho at Flock Safety, the increasingly infamous license plate reader company, is sitting across a small conference room table dressed like a country club attendant with a blue polo neatly tucked into brown pants. — Andrew Zucker, Vanity Fair, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for polo

Word History

Etymology

Balti, ball

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of polo was in 1841

Phrases Containing polo

Rhymes for polo

See All Rhymes for polo

Browse Nearby Words

pollywog
polo
Polo
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Polo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polo. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

polo

noun
po·​lo ˈpō-lō How to pronounce polo (audio)
: a game played by teams of players on horseback using long-handled mallets to drive a wooden ball
poloist
ˈpō-lō-əst How to pronounce polo (audio)
noun

Biographical Definition

Polo

biographical name

Po·​lo ˈpō-(ˌ)lō How to pronounce Polo (audio)
Mar*co ˈmär-(ˌ)kō How to pronounce Polo (audio) 1254–1324 Venetian traveler

More from Merriam-Webster on polo

Nglish: Translation of polo for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about polo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

How to Pronounce the Trickiest Menu Items

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Aug. 21

16 Glee-ridden Words from Schitt's Creek
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
alt-684346df967d5
Add A Letter Quiz Pick the letter that goes in the same spot in fou...
See All