pool
pool
Pool (noun) means a small body of still water, or a purpose-built structure for swimming. Example: “The kids spent all afternoon in the pool.”
noun
1
A small body of still water, or a purpose-built structure for swimming.
"The kids spent all afternoon in the pool."
"Rainwater collected in a pool by the door."
"We sat by the pool and watched the swimmers."
2
A shared supply of money, resources, or people available for a common purpose.
"The company keeps a pool of temporary staff for busy periods."
"The charity has a large pool of volunteers ready to help."
"Employers say they want to draw from a wider pool of talent."
3
A cue sport played on a table with 15 numbered balls, popular in bars and clubs.
"They played a few games of pool at the local bar."
"My dad taught me how to pot a ball at pool."
"Do you fancy a game of pool after work?"
verb
1
To combine resources or money for a shared purpose.
"The neighbors pooled their savings to fix the shared driveway."
"If we pool our ideas, we might solve this much faster."
"The students pooled their pocket money to buy their teacher a gift."
How to use pool
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA body of water for swimming, a shared fund or group of resources, or the game played on a pool table.
Common pairings
swimming pool
pool resources
car pool
play pool
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Word forms
- Plural
- pools
- Third person singular
- pools
- Past tense
- pooled
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The kids spent all afternoon in the _____.
Etymology
From Old English pōl, "pool," related to Germanic and Slavic words for a puddle or marsh.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for pool
See all rhymes for pool →Frequently asked questions
What does “pool” mean?
The word “pool” means a small body of still water, or a purpose-built structure for swimming. In plain terms, a body of water for swimming, a shared fund or group of resources, or the game played on a pool table.
How do you pronounce “pool”?
“Pool” is pronounced pool (/pul/ in IPA).
How do you use “pool” in a sentence?
Here is “pool” used in a sentence: “The kids spent all afternoon in the pool.”
What part of speech is “pool”?
Depending on how it is used, “pool” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “pool” come from?
The word “pool” comes from Old English. From Old English pōl, "pool," related to Germanic and Slavic words for a puddle or marsh.
Is “pool” a common word?
“Pool” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “pool” have?
“Pool” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small body of still water, or a purpose-built structure for swimming.
What is the difference between a pool and a pond?
Both hold still water, but a pond is usually a natural or landscaped feature that supports plants and wildlife, while a pool tends to be smaller or purpose-built, especially a swimming pool. A pond is part of an ecosystem; a swimming pool is a clean, controlled structure made for people.
What are the different types of pools?
The word covers several things: a natural pool such as a rock pool or a still patch in a stream, and built pools like swimming pools, paddling pools, and reflecting pools. There is also the unrelated sense of a shared resource, as in a car pool. This entry means the water kind.
What is the difference between a pool and a puddle?
Size and permanence set them apart. A puddle is a shallow, temporary patch of water, often left after rain, that soon dries up. A pool is deeper or more lasting, either a small body of still water or a structure built to hold it for swimming. Puddles come and go; pools stay.
What is an example of a pool?
Examples include a backyard swimming pool, a child's paddling pool, a rock pool left behind by the tide, or a quiet pool of still water in a woodland stream. Each fits the meaning: either a small body of standing water or a structure purpose-built to hold water for swimming.
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