Finesentence

Pool Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🏊
Save

pool

pool

🇺🇸 /ˈpuɫ/ · 🇬🇧 /pˈuːl/

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

swimming

A small area of still water, typically one created naturally.

Synonyms

lagoon, pond, swimming pool.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
pool

General term for a body of stagnant water, often used in various contexts like natural pools, swimming pools, and more.

  • The hotel has a huge pool
  • They discovered a pool of water in the desert
swimming pool

A man-made structure filled with water, used specifically for swimming. Commonly found in hotels, homes, and recreational centers.

  • She practices swimming in the pool every morning
  • We spent the afternoon at the swimming pool
lagoon

A shallow body of water separated from a larger body, such as the sea, by sandbanks or coral reefs. Commonly found in coastal areas.

  • They went snorkeling in the lagoon
  • The lagoon is full of colorful fish
pond

A small, man-made or natural body of still water, often found in gardens, parks, or on farms.

  • The ducks swam in the pond
  • He built a pond in his backyard

Examples of usage

  • We went swimming in the pool.
  • The pool was surrounded by palm trees.
Context #2 | Noun

gambling

A collective bet or sum of money staked by a group.

Synonyms

betting pool, prize fund, wager.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
pool

Also used as a recreational term for a game played on a table with cues and balls, or commonly as a short form for a swimming pool.

  • Do you want to play a game of pool?
  • Let's go to the pool this weekend.
betting pool

Refers specifically to a collective amount of money bet on a particular event, where the participants are wagering money.

  • We have a betting pool for the World Cup matches.
  • She joined the office betting pool for the horse race.
prize fund

Describes a collected sum of money or resources that will be awarded as prizes to winners of a competition or event.

  • The marathon had a prize fund of $10,000.
  • The tournament's prize fund attracted many participants.
wager

Specifically means a bet or the act of betting, often used in gambling scenarios.

  • He placed a wager on the outcome of the game.
  • They made a friendly wager on who could eat the most hot dogs.

Examples of usage

  • They all chipped in to create a pool for the race.
  • The pool for the lottery reached a record amount.
Context #3 | Verb

combine

Combine (resources or efforts) for a common purpose.

Synonyms

aggregate, combine, merge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
pool

Use 'pool' when referring to the act of gathering resources, funds, or efforts from multiple sources into a common supply for a shared goal.

  • They decided to pool their money to buy a new computer for the office.
  • By pooling their knowledge, the researchers were able to come up with a groundbreaking solution.
combine

Use 'combine' when describing the act of putting two or more things together to create a single entity or effect. This term is versatile and used in various contexts from cooking to chemistry.

  • She combined the flour and water to make dough.
  • The two companies combined their resources to launch a new product.
merge

Use 'merge' when referring to the act of joining together two or more entities into one, commonly used in business, technology, and traffic.

  • The two tech companies agreed to merge to better compete in the market.
  • The traffic lanes will merge ahead, so be prepared to yield.
aggregate

Use 'aggregate' when referring to the process of collecting separate units into a whole, often used in data analysis, statistics, and general collections.

  • The data was aggregated from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive report.
  • In economics, aggregated demand refers to the total demand for goods and services in an economy.

Examples of usage

  • Let's pool our money to buy a present.
  • The teams pooled their expertise to solve the problem.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Quick facts about “pool”

Pool is a 1-syllable noun and verb. It is pronounced /ˈpuɫ/ in American English and /pˈuːl/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 3 meanings, 9 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #3,162 among the most common English words.

Did you know?

“pool” in history

  • Ancient civilizations, like the Romans, built public baths resembling modern pools for social interaction and hygiene.
  • Swimming as a sport began in the 19th century, leading to the establishment of competitive swimming pools.
  • The first indoor swimming pool opened in London in 1837, revolutionizing accessibility to swimming year-round.

“pool” in sports

  • Competitive swimming includes various strokes, with events held in both Olympic and community pools.
  • Water polo is a team sport played in pools, combining swimming, ball handling, and teamwork.
  • Diving and synchronized swimming showcase athleticism and artistry, often performed in pool settings.

“pool” in cultural references

  • The concept of 'pool parties' became popular in California during the 1950s, symbolizing leisure and fun.
  • Feature movies like 'The Graduate' showcased iconic pool scenes, linking pools to social gatherings and romance.
  • Television shows, such as 'Friends,' frequently featured memorable moments set by a pool, highlighting friendship and relaxation.

“pool” in health and fitness

  • Swimming in pools offers a full-body workout, promoting cardiovascular health and muscle strength.
  • Water therapy uses pools for rehabilitation, enabling patients to exercise with less strain on joints.
  • Pools can also serve as a calming environment, reducing stress and improving mental well-being.

Origin of 'pool'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'pool' originates from the Middle English 'pole,' meaning a small body of water or pond.
  • 'Pool' was historically used to describe a low-lying area that collects rainfall or runoff.
  • In old times, the term also referred to a 'puddle' or a small, still body of water.

The word 'pool' originated from Middle English 'pool(e)', which came from Old English 'pōl'. It can be traced back to Proto-Germanic 'pōlaz', meaning 'deep, still body of water'. The sense of 'collective bet' appeared in the mid 17th century, derived from the notion of a gambling pool. Over time, 'pool' has evolved to encompass various meanings related to shared resources and common goals.


Rhymes

Pool rhymes with boule, buhl, retool, school, rule, tool, cool and fool.

See all rhymes →

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,162, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.