pool

noun \ ˈpül \

Definition of pool

1 a (1) : a small and rather deep body of usually fresh water

(2) : a quiet place in a stream

(3) : a body of water forming above a dam

b : something resembling a pool

a pool of light

2 : a small body of standing liquid

3 : a continuous area of porous sedimentary rock that yields petroleum or gas

4 : swimming pool

Origin and Etymology of pool

Middle English, from Old English pōl; akin to Old High German pfuol pool

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

See Words from the same year

Other Civil Engineering Terms

asphalt, ballast, barrage, cantilever, infrastructure, sluice

pool

verb

Definition of pool

pooled; pooling; pools

intransitive verb

1 : to form a pool

2 of blood : to accumulate or become static (as in the veins of a bodily part)

First Known Use of pool

1626

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

pool

noun

Definition of pool

1 a : an aggregate stake to which each player of a game has contributed

b : all the money bet by a number of persons on a particular event

2 a : a game played on an English billiard table in which each of the players stakes a sum and the winner takes all

b : any of various games of billiards played on an oblong table having 6 pockets with usually 15 object balls

3 : an aggregation of the interests or property of different persons made to further a joint undertaking by subjecting them to the same control and a common liability

4 : a readily available supply: such as

a : the whole quantity of a particular material present in the body and available for function or the satisfying of metabolic demands

b : a body product (such as blood) collected from many donors and stored for later use

c : a group of people available for some purpose

a shrinking pool of applicants

typing pool

5 : gene pool

6 : a group of journalists from usually several news organizations using pooled resources (such as television equipment) to produce shared coverage especially of events to which access is restricted

Origin and Etymology of pool

French poule, literally, hen, from Old French, feminine of poul cock — more at pullet

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1708

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

pool

verb

Definition of pool

pooled; pooling; pools

transitive verb

: to combine (things, such as resources) in a common pool or effort

First Known Use of pool

circa 1780

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

POOL Defined for Kids

pool

noun \ ˈpül \

Definition of pool for Students

1 : a small deep body of usually fresh water

2 : something like a pool (as in shape or depth)

The lamp cast a pool of light.

3 : a small body of standing liquid : puddle

a pool of blood

4 : swimming pool

pool

noun

Definition of pool for Students

1 : a game of billiards played on a table with six pockets

2 : a supply of people or things available for use

a pool of talent

pool

verb

Definition of pool for Students

pooled; pooling

: to contribute to a common fund or effort

Medical Dictionary

pool

intransitive verb \ ˈpül \

medical Definition of pool

of blood

: to accumulate or become static (as in the veins of a bodily part)

blood pooled in his legs

pool

noun

medical Definition of pool

: a readily available supply: as

a : the whole quantity of a particular material present in the body and available for function or the satisfying of metabolic demands — see gene pool, metabolic pool

b : a body product (as blood) collected from many donors and stored for later use

Law Dictionary

pool

noun

legal Definition of pool

1 : an aggregation of the interests, obligations, or undertakings of several parties working together

an insurance pool

2 : a group of people available for some purpose — see also jury pool

pool

transitive verb

legal Definition of pool

: to combine (as assets or votes) in a common form or effort; especially : to combine (interests) so as not to have a merger of companies considered a purchase for accounting purposes