noun

1. a small pond, as in a garden
2. a small collection of liquid, as a puddle
3. swimming pool
4. a deep, still spot in a river
5. ☆ a natural, isolated, underground accumulation of oil or gas

Etymology: ME < OE pol, akin to Du poel & Ger pfuhl, prob. ult. < IE base *bhel-, to shine, glimmer

intransitive verb

noun

1. the total amount of the players' stakes played for, as in a single deal of a card game; pot
2. 1. Brit. a game of billiards for such a pool
   2. any of various games related to billiards played typically with object balls numbered from one to fifteen and a cue ball, on a pool table: the object is to pocket a ball or balls
3. a combination of resources, funds, etc. for some common purpose; specif.,
   1. ☆ the combined wagers of bettors on a horse race, participants in a lottery, etc., the gains or losses from which are to be divided proportionately
   2. the combined investments of a group of persons or corporations undertaking, and sharing responsibility for, a joint enterprise
   3. ☆ a common fund of stockholders, for speculation, manipulation of prices, etc.
   4. the persons or parties forming any such combination
4. ☆ a combination of business firms for creating a monopoly in a particular market; trust
5. 1. a collection of equipment and group of trained personnel, utilized and shared by a group a motor pool
   2. an informal group of people sharing in some task or responsibility a car pool

Etymology: Fr poule, pool, stakes, orig. hen < LL pulla, hen, fem. of L pullus (see poultry): assoc. in E with pool

transitive verb, intransitive verb