foul pole: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 (specialized, low-frequency outside sports contexts)Formal (in sports journalism/commentary); Technical (in rulebooks); Informal (in general sports conversation)
Quick answer
What does “foul pole” mean?
One of two tall poles at the left and right edges of the outfield in baseball, used to determine whether a batted ball is fair or foul.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
One of two tall poles at the left and right edges of the outfield in baseball, used to determine whether a batted ball is fair or foul.
In a metaphorical sense, a clear boundary or rule used to decide if something is acceptable or unacceptable, permissible or not.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively American, originating from baseball. In British English, the concept does not exist; cricket has no direct equivalent. British sports commentators covering baseball would use the American term.
Connotations
Connotes the precision and rule-bound nature of American baseball. No inherent positive/negative connotation beyond its technical function.
Frequency
Zero frequency in general British English. Used only in contexts discussing American baseball.
Grammar
How to Use “foul pole” in a Sentence
The [batted ball] hit the foul pole.[Player's name] homered off the foul pole.The umpire pointed to the foul pole.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foul pole” in a Sentence
adjective
American English
- The foul-pole shot was reviewed.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'We need clear foul poles for ethical behavior in this project.'
Academic
Used in papers on sports history, sports engineering, or cultural studies of baseball.
Everyday
Almost exclusively in conversations about watching or playing baseball/softball.
Technical
Defined in official baseball rulebooks (e.g., MLB Rule 2.01).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foul pole”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foul pole”
- Using 'foul pole' to refer to the foul *line* (the line on the ground).
- Thinking a 'foul' ball hits the 'foul pole' (it's the opposite).
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun (it's not, unless starting a sentence).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, ironically. It marks the boundary *between* fair and foul territory. A ball that hits the pole is in fair territory and is ruled a fair ball (and a home run if it goes over the fence).
No, it is unique to baseball and its derivative sports like softball. Sports like cricket have different boundary-marking systems.
For high visibility against the backdrop of stands, sky, and advertising boards, helping players, umpires, and fans see the precise boundary.
Yes, in business or ethics discussions, it can metaphorically represent a clear, unambiguous rule or boundary that determines the acceptability of an action.
One of two tall poles at the left and right edges of the outfield in baseball, used to determine whether a batted ball is fair or foul.
Foul pole is usually formal (in sports journalism/commentary); technical (in rulebooks); informal (in general sports conversation) in register.
Foul pole: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfaʊl ˌpəʊl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfaʊl ˌpoʊl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A game of inches off the foul pole.”
- “Kissing the foul pole (for a home run that hits it).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a FOUL smell reaching the POLE - if the ball is foul, it goes past the pole. But if it HITS the pole, it's a fair home run (a confusing but memorable rule!).
Conceptual Metaphor
A BOUNDARY IS A VERTICAL MARKER; A RULE IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT.
Practice
Quiz
In baseball, if a batted ball hits the foul pole, what is the call?