pool

a small often deep body of water a secluded pool that has long been a locally favored spot for skinny-dipping Synonyms billabong [Australian], mere [chiefly British], puddle, stank [British dialect], well Related Words basin, hole, sinkhole; swimming pool; lake, pond, water hole

1 a body of persons at work or available for work a large pool of applicants for the summer internship Synonyms help, labor force, manpower, personnel, pool, staff, workforceRelated Words labor, proletariat, rank and file; band, company, crew, gang, outfit, party, squad, team; employee (also employe), helper, hireling, worker; blood; support

2 the number of individuals or amount of something available at any given time a pool of ideas ready to use whenever the cartoonist needs to meet a deadline Synonyms budget, force, fund, inventory, pool, repertoire, reservoir, stockRelated Words reserve, resource; cache, hoard, stockpile; refill, renewal, replacement; kitty, nest egg, pot, purse; fountain, mine, source, spring, well, wellspring

3 a sum of money set aside for a particular purpose office workers setting up a pool for the collective purchase of lottery tickets Synonyms account, budget, deposit, kitty, nest egg, poolRelated Words chest, coffer(s); assets, savings, savings account; bankroll, cache, collection, cushion, hoard, pocketbook, reserve, treasure; petty cash, pin money, pocket money, spending money

4 the total of the bets at stake at one time two coworkers split last week's football pool Synonyms jack, jackpot, poolRelated Words fund, kitty; bet, stake, wager