pond
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a small area of still water, either natural or man-made, that is smaller than a lake.
n.a small, inland body of standing water. Often distinguished from a lake by its smaller size and shallower depth.
Simple“The children enjoyed feeding the ducks at the village pond every Sunday.”
In context“The garden design featured a decorative pond stocked with koi and surrounded by moisture-loving ferns.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a casual name for the Atlantic Ocean, usually used when talking about travelling between the US and the UK.
n.a metonymic reference to the Atlantic Ocean. Almost exclusively used in the idiomatic phrase 'across the pond'.
Simple“He has many friends across the pond in New York.”
In context“After working in London for a decade, she decided to seek new professional opportunities across the pond in Boston.”
UsageUsually appears as 'the pond' or within the phrase 'across the pond'.
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
v.to collect in a small pool, or to block water so it forms a pool.
v.to form into a pond or pool; to dam a flow of liquid so that it collects in one place.
Simple“Rainwater began to pond on the flat roof after the heavy storm.”
In context“Engineers observed that the chemical runoff would pond in the low-lying areas of the site if the drainage system failed.”
UsageCan be used transitively (to pond water) or intransitively (water ponds).
Synonyms
“During multiple droughts between 2012 and 2025, many of the ponds dried up, and some diseases became less common, but others became more severe.”
“A pond near a Surrey gardens is at its lowest level for nearly two decades, a local wildlife charity has said.”