Dictionary

A small and rather deep collection of (usually) fresh water, as one supplied by a spring, or occurring in the course of a stream; a reservoir for water.

Example: the pools of Solomon

A small body of standing or stagnant water; a puddle.

A supply of resources.

Example: There is a limited pool of candidates from which to choose the new manager.

(by extension) A set of resources that are kept ready to use.

(of a liquid) To form a pool.

A pool of water used for swimming, usually one which has been artificially constructed.

(game) A game at billiards, in which each of the players stakes a certain sum, the winner taking the whole; also, in public billiard rooms, a game in which the loser pays the entrance fee for all who engage in the game.

A cue sport played on a pool table. There are 15 balls, 7 of one colour, 7 of another, and the black ball (also called the 8 ball). A player must pocket all their own colour balls and then the black ball in order to win.

In rifle shooting, a contest in which each competitor pays a certain sum for every shot he makes, the net proceeds being divided among the winners.

Any gambling or commercial venture in which several persons join.

To put together; contribute to a common fund, on the basis of a mutual division of profits or losses; to make a common interest of.

Example: We must pool our resources.

To combine or contribute with others, as for a commercial, speculative, or gambling transaction.