Standard Lemma guide

pitchpole

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • US: /ˈpɪt͡ʃpoʊl/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To capsize end over end, as in heavy surf.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Pitchpoling is the most dangerous way a boat can capsize.
  • Pitchpoling occurs when the bow buries itself in the wave ahead while the wave behind lifts the aft section up and over.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From pitch + pole.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: mennä keulan kautta ympäri — capsize end over end
  • French: sancir — capsize end over end
  • German: überschlagen — capsize end over end
  • German: sich überschlagen — capsize end over end