# pool

/ˈpuɫ/ (US) · /pˈuːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pool
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. swimming area

noun · CEFR A1

an artificial area of water for swimming.

For teachers: a man-made container or structure filled with water for swimming, diving, or other water-based recreation.

- The kids spent the whole afternoon playing in the hotel pool.
- The luxury resort features an infinity pool that appears to merge seamlessly with the horizon of the Mediterranean Sea.

### 2. small body of liquid

noun · CEFR A2

a small amount of liquid on the ground or a surface.

For teachers: a small, typically stagnant accumulation of liquid on a surface.

- A pool of water formed on the kitchen floor under the leaking fridge.
- The heavy rain left deep pools in the uneven pavement, forcing pedestrians to navigate the street with caution.

### 3. shared resource

noun · CEFR B2

a group of people or things that are available to be used by others.

For teachers: a collective group of resources, funds, or individuals available for shared use or selection.

- The company has a large pool of talented workers to choose from.
- By creating a shared car pool, the employees significantly reduced their monthly commuting expenses and carbon footprint.

### 4. the game

noun · CEFR A2

a game played with a long stick and balls on a felt table with six holes.

For teachers: any of several varieties of cue sports played on a billiard table with six pockets.

- We went to the bar to drink beer and play a few games of pool.
- He demonstrated remarkable precision, clearing the entire pool table in a single turn during the local tournament finals.

### 5. tournament group

noun · CEFR B1

a group of teams that play against each other in a competition.

For teachers: a grouping of contestants or teams in a tournament who compete against one another to qualify for the next stage.

- Our national team is in a very difficult pool for the World Cup.
- The tournament organisers placed the top-seeded players in separate pools to ensure they would not face each other until the knockout rounds.

### 6. to combine resources

verb · CEFR B2

to put money or things together so they can be shared by a group.

For teachers: to combine resources, money, or efforts into a common fund or effort for mutual advantage.

- If we pool our money, we can afford to buy a much better gift.
- The three independent research labs decided to pool their data to accelerate the development of the new vaccine.

## Examples

- The kids spend all afternoon in the swimming pool.
- After the heavy storm, a large pool of water remained in the middle of the driveway.
- The hotel features an Olympic-sized pool surrounded by lush gardens, providing a tranquil environment for guests to relax during the summer months.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.