Word
pond
US/ˈpɑnd/
UK/pˈɒnd/
Definitions
01small body of water
A2 · Elementary Countable noun
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.
“The children enjoyed feeding the ducks at the village pond every Sunday.”
“The garden design featured a decorative pond stocked with koi and surrounded by moisture-loving ferns.”
02the Atlantic Ocean
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Informal · Humorous
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'.
“He has many friends across the pond in New York.”
“After working in London for a decade, she decided to seek new professional opportunities across the pond in Boston.”
Usage
Usually appears as 'the pond' or within the phrase 'across the pond'.
Synonyms
03to collect or pool
C1 · Advanced Technical
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.
“Rainwater began to pond on the flat roof after the heavy storm.”
“Engineers observed that the chemical runoff would pond in the low-lying areas of the site if the drainage system failed.”
Usage
Can be used transitively (to pond water) or intransitively (water ponds).
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “pond” in context.
Verb
01. dredge the pond
“The council decided to dredge the pond to remove the accumulated silt and debris from the bottom.”
verb + noun
02. skim the pond
“He spent the afternoon using a net to skim the pond and remove fallen leaves.”
verb + noun
03. stock the pond with fish
“Every spring, the park rangers stock the pond with fish to encourage recreational angling.”
verb + noun + prep + noun
Adjective
04. lily-choked pond
“The old, lily-choked pond was barely visible beneath the thick layer of green vegetation.”
adj + noun
05. ornamental pond
“They installed a small ornamental pond in the center of the garden to attract local wildlife.”
adj + noun
06. stagnant pond
“The stagnant pond became a breeding ground for mosquitoes during the humid summer months.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. pond life
“The biology students spent the morning observing pond life through their microscopes.”
noun + noun
08. surface of the pond
“A light breeze rippled the surface of the pond, distorting the reflection of the trees.”
noun + of + noun
Real-World Examples
“During multiple droughts between 2012 and 2025, many of the ponds dried up, and some diseases became less common, but others became more severe.” “It’s not like targeting a mosquito-filled pond or lake.” “A pond near a Surrey gardens is at its lowest level for nearly two decades, a local wildlife charity has said.” Related words
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pond