noun
maypole
MAY-pohl/ˈmeɪpəʊl/
A decorated pole around which people dance at traditional spring festivals.
Dancers weave colored ribbons around the maypole.
Etymology
May identifies the pole with May Day, a celebration of the opening season of flowers and fruit. Flowers and ribbons decorated the pole around which celebrants danced.
More examples
- Colored ribbons hung from the maypole.
- The village raised a maypole for the festival.
- The dance wove ribbons around the maypole.
Forms
maypole · maypoles
Similar words
- pole
- Pole is the general object; maypole identifies one decorated for spring dancing traditions.