seivään

Seiväs is a Finnish word that most commonly refers to a pole vault, an athletic event in which competitors run and leap over a high bar with the aid of a pole. The sport requires strength, agility, and coordination. Athletes use a long, flexible pole, typically made of fiberglass or carbon fiber, to propel themselves over the bar. The technique involves a series of precise movements, including the approach run, the plant of the pole, the take-off, and the clear of the bar.

In a broader, less common sense, "seiväs" can also simply mean a pole or a stout stick. This usage might appear in contexts describing agricultural tools, construction materials, or even natural elements like a tree trunk used as a prop. However, the athletic meaning is by far the most prevalent association for the word "seiväs" in modern Finnish. The sport of pole vaulting has a long history, with its roots in ancient practices of using poles to overcome obstacles. Modern competitive pole vaulting evolved in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant advancements in pole technology greatly influencing performance levels over time.