water hole

American  

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.

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water hole British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of water hole

First recorded in 1645–55

Example Sentences

Panting after chasing the impala now in its jaws, a leopard drags its prey to a shady spot beside a water hole.

From New York Times • Oct. 5, 2023

They'll go down to a water hole, they'll see a turtle or a tortoise close to the water, and they won't step on it.

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2023

“If you do use artificial watering holes, it has to be a commitment to essentially manage the water hole forever,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 15, 2022

A second water hole, from the 1820s, was also discovered during excavations at the town's 19th Century infirmary.

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2021

They'd dunked their caps in the water hole before putting them on their heads.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar