water hole

noun

1. a depression in the surface of the ground, containing water.
2. a source of drinking water, as a spring or well in the desert.
3. a pond; pool.
4. a cavity containing water in the dry bed of a river.
5. a hole in the frozen surface of a lake, pond, stream, etc.

water hole

noun

1. a depression, such as a pond or pool, containing water, esp one used by animals as a drinking place
2. a source of drinking water in a desert

Word History and Origins

Origin of water hole¹

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

There’s a water hole at the end of every block, and at any one of them you might meet your fate.

From Outside Online

Whether it’s the water hole or the intersection, an attack is inevitable.

From Outside Online

Wells also decreased the distance between water sources by an average of 843 meters, making this essential resource more accessible and easing tensions that can escalate among drinkers at isolated water holes, Lundgren says.

From Science News

Apaches used what was once a marshy ciénaga as a water hole for centuries.

From The Daily Beast

Much better but still weak Burros came in late & hung around water hole.

From Project Gutenberg

Cool wind makes weather endurable, but bees terrible in kitchen & around water-hole.

From Project Gutenberg

An investigation showed the rest of the herd standing around the water-hole.

From Project Gutenberg

When he got out of the water hole he wiped himself dry on the grass by lying on his side and pushing himself along with his feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Once I lay at a path near a water hole in the pocket of a half-dried stream, and killed two buffalo cows.

From Project Gutenberg