pond

American  

[pond] / pɒnd /

noun

• ponds
  plural

1. a body of water smaller than a lake, sometimes artificially formed, as by damming a stream.

2. Informal. the pond, the Atlantic Ocean.

   American companies are finding business is different on the other side of the pond.

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verb (used without object)

1. (especially of water) to collect into a pond or large puddle.

   to prevent rainwater from ponding on the roof.

pond British  

/ pɒnd /

noun

1. 1. a pool of still water, often artificially created

   2. ( in combination )

      a fishpond

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pond Scientific  

/ pŏnd /

1. An inland body of standing water that is smaller than a lake. Natural ponds form in small depressions and are usually shallow enough to support rooted vegetation across most or all of their areas.

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pond Idioms  

1. see big fish in a small pond; little frog in a big pond.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• ponds
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pond

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English ponde, pande, akin to Old English pynding “dam,” gepyndan “to impound.” See pound ³

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pond ponds

Prada isn’t fishing in a fixed pond, but only so many people can comfortably spend six figures a year at a single fashion house—and every major luxury brand wants them.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026

Many have pondered why Mexicans and Mexican Americans have such an affinity for those blokes from across the pond.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

Noah Woods, the three-year-old boy who was found dead in a pond following a huge search in Suffolk, had left a play area "through a gap in the fence", an inquest in Ipswich has heard.

From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026

Outside, the ranch is surrounded by lush landscaping, while a tranquil reflection pond adds to its secluded, countryside atmosphere—despite the estate’s location in the heart of Los Angeles.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 21, 2026

So different from Handsome’s experience of the season, because winter meant that the reflection pond in the middle of his field was covered over in snow.

From "The Very, Very Far North" by Dan Bar-el

Hengyang was a serene location surrounded by hills and lotus ponds.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Burgoine said the Nature Commission and Guernsey Water were conducting environmental DNA sampling in the island's freshwater ponds and streams in a bid to gather more information as to where eels were present.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

The strong presence of mosquito remains also lends support to the idea that prey carcasses may sometimes have been stored in ponds or marshy environments, where mosquitoes would have laid their eggs.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 27, 2026

“A resort-style pool, tranquil lily ponds, meandering pathways, shaded terraces, and a full-size tennis court create moments of both recreation and quiet reflection, where the sounds of nature replace the pace of everyday life.”

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026

The river flowed past wildflowers and ponds and boulders and then disappeared into the forest.

From "The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown

Related Words

• basin
• lagoon
• pool
• puddle