What does poller mean?
A poller is something that polls: a person who collects responses, a device used in a polling operation, or a computer program that periodically checks another system. The technical sense is especially common in computing, where a polling program may send requests to a server, query a device, or monitor a network at specified intervals. In ordinary political and public-opinion language, “pollster” is normally preferred for the person asking questions, although “poller” remains understandable. The word can therefore suggest either active inquiry or repeated technical monitoring. Its usefulness lies in distinguishing the entity that gathers or checks information from the poll itself: the poll is the inquiry or process, while the poller is the person, instrument, or program carrying it out.
nounA person or device that conducts, gathers, or repeatedly checks responses as part of a poll. In computing, a poller may be a program that requests status or data from a system at regular intervals.
- A person who conducts a poll or collects responses from voters or survey participants.
- A device, instrument, or computer program that performs a polling operation, especially by repeatedly checking a system or obtaining data at regular intervals.
"The software acts as a poller, checking the server for updates every few seconds."
"The campaign sent several pollers to ask voters about the leading candidate."
"A lightweight poller checks the remote device and reports when its battery falls below the configured level."
The standard plural adds “-s”; in plural contexts, a more specific term such as “polling programs” may be clearer when referring to software.
"Several pollers distributed questionnaires outside the polling stations."
A poller can be a person with a clipboard or a program that checks a server every few seconds—different tools, but both repeatedly ask, monitor, or gather responses.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does poller come from?
“Poller” was formed in English by adding the agent suffix “-er” to “poll.” “Poll” developed through Middle English and Old French from Latin roots associated with people and counting them, in the sense of enumerating persons or collecting opinions. The later use of “poll” for a survey or vote and of “poller” for a person or device that performs this task followed that established sense.
Related word forms
How poller is actually used
For a person who surveys voters or the public, “pollster” is more usual than “poller.” “Poller” is especially common in computing and technical contexts for software or devices that repeatedly query another system.
Easily confused with poller
A poller may be a person, device, or program that collects or checks responses, whereas a pollster is specifically a person who asks people questions for a poll.