Phrase guide

pole position

noun · 3 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

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The top qualifying position for a race, on the inside of the front row at the starting line.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Topics: hobbies, lifestyle, motor-racing, racing, sports

Examples

  • Smith once again enjoys the pole position.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

First place.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: broadly, countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

the most favorable position at the start of a race

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: position, place

History

Etymology

See pole position § Origin on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Across languages

Translations

22 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: posició preferent — top qualifying position
  • Czech: pole position — top qualifying position
  • Dutch: poleposition — top qualifying position
  • Dutch: polepositie — top qualifying position
  • Finnish: paalupaikka — top qualifying position
  • French: pole position — top qualifying position
  • French: position de tête — top qualifying position
  • Galician: primeira posición — top qualifying position
  • German: Poleposition — top qualifying position
  • Italian: pole position — top qualifying position
  • Romanian: poziționare de favorit — top qualifying position
  • Romanian: poziție de favoare — top qualifying position
  • Spanish: primera posición — top qualifying position
  • Spanish: pole — top qualifying position
  • Swedish: pole position — top qualifying position
  • Czech: první místo — first place
  • Finnish: paalupaikka — first place
  • Galician: primeira posición — first place
  • Romanian: loc în frunte — first place
  • Romanian: poziție în față — first place
  • Romanian: rândul întâi — first place
  • Spanish: primera posición — first place