Pool vs. Pond — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
A pool is a usually a constructed, contained body of water, often for swimming or decoration. A pond is a natural or artificial body of standing water, smaller than a lake.
Difference Between Pool and Pond
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A pool is typically an artificial structure designed to hold water for human activities such as swimming, diving, or decorative purposes. A pond, conversely, is a natural or man-made body of water that is part of an ecosystem, often supporting plant and animal life.
Pools are often synonymous with recreation, constructed for controlled environments for leisure or exercise. Ponds are integral to natural landscapes, serving ecological roles such as habitats for wildlife and are subject to natural environmental changes.
The maintenance of a pool is usually a managed process, involving filtration and chemical treatment to ensure the water remains clean and safe for use. In contrast, a pond's maintenance is often centered around ecological balance, potentially requiring the management of algae, plants, and animal populations.
While pools are designed with specific depths and shapes according to their intended use, the form and depth of a pond are typically more variable and influenced by natural processes or the design of the landscaper if it is man-made.
Pools, given their human-designed nature, are generally uniform in appearance and can be found in residential areas, gyms, and parks. Ponds are diverse in appearance, ranging from small wildlife ponds to larger bodies that might be found in rural settings or as features in large gardens or parks.
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Comparison Chart
Origin
Often artificial and man-made
Can be natural or artificial
Purpose
Recreation, aesthetics, exercise
Ecology, aesthetics, wildlife habitat
Water Maintenance
Chemical treatment, filtration
Natural balance, occasional cleaning
Typical Location
Residential areas, leisure centers
Natural settings, gardens, rural areas
Biodiversity
Typically low, not for habitat
Can be high, supports ecosystems
Compare with Definitions
Pool
A small body of still water made by digging
Kids splashed in the backyard pool all summer.
Pond
A small body of water that is smaller than a lake
Ducks swam peacefully in the local pond.
Pool
A supply of vehicles or resources to be shared
The car pool at her office was very efficient.
Pond
A natural or artificial water feature in a garden
Their garden pond attracts many birds.
Pool
A combination of stakes or bets in betting
He won the football pool and was very pleased.
Pond
An area of water where aquatic plants thrive
The pond was covered in water lilies.
Pool
A mutual fund of resources among companies
Tech companies formed a patent pool.
Pond
A habitat for fish and wildlife
They stocked the pond with trout for fishing.
Pool
A game played on a table by hitting balls into pockets
They played pool at the bar last night.
Pond
A space where water accumulates
After the rain, a pond formed in the hollow of the field.
Pool
A small body of still water.
Pond
A pond is an area filled with water, either natural or artificial, that is smaller than a lake. Ponds can be created by a wide variety of natural processes (e.g.
Pool
An accumulation of standing liquid; a puddle
A pool of blood.
Pond
A still body of water smaller than a lake.
Pool
A deep or still place in a stream.
Pond
To form ponds or large puddles
Debris blocked the culvert, and the stream began to pond.
Pool
A swimming pool.
Pond
To cause to form ponds or large puddles
The landslide ponded the stream.
Pool
An underground accumulation of petroleum or gas in porous sedimentary rock.
Pond
To form ponds or large puddles on (a piece of land).
Pool
A game of chance, resembling a lottery, in which the contestants put staked money into a common fund that is later paid to the winner.
Pond
An inland body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is smaller than a lake.
Pool
A fund containing all the money bet in a game of chance or on the outcome of an event.
Pond
An inland body of standing water of any size that is fed by springs rather than by a river.
Pool
A supply, as of vehicles or workers, available for use by a group.
Pond
(colloquial) The Atlantic Ocean. Especially in across the pond.
I wonder how they do this on the other side of the pond.
I haven't been back home across the pond in twenty years.
Pool
A group of journalists who cover an event and then by agreement share their reports with participating news media
The White House press pool.
Pond
(transitive) To block the flow of water so that it can escape only through evaporation or seepage; to dam.
Pool
A mutual fund established by a group of stockholders for speculating in or manipulating prices of securities.
Pond
(transitive) To make into a pond; to collect, as water, in a pond by damming.
Pool
The persons or parties participating in such a fund.
Pond
(intransitive) To form a pond; to pool.
Pool
A grouping of assets, such as mortgages, that serves as a basis for the issuing of securities.
Pond
To ponder.
Pool
An agreement between competing business concerns to establish controls over production, market, and prices for common profit.
Pond
A body of water, naturally or artificially confined, and usually of less extent than a lake.
Pool
Any of several games played on a six-pocket billiards table usually with 15 object balls and a cue ball. Also called pocket billiards.
Pond
To make into a pond; to collect, as water, in a pond by damming.
Pool
To form pools or a pool
The receding tide pooled in hollows along the shore.
Pond
To ponder.
Pleaseth you, pond your suppliant's plaint.
Pool
To accumulate in a body part
Preventing blood from pooling in the limbs.
Pond
A small lake;
The pond was too small for sailing
Pool
To put into a pool, as for common use
Let's pool our resources to finish the project quickly.
Pool
To join or form a pool.
Pool
A small and rather deep area of (usually) fresh water, as one supplied by a spring, or occurring in the course of a stream or river; a reservoir for water.
The pools of Solomon
Pool
Any small body of standing or stagnant water; a puddle.
Pool
Ellipsis of swimming pool
Pool
A supply of resources.
There is a limited pool of candidates from which to choose the new manager.
Dating pool
Pool
A set of resources that are kept ready to use.
Pool
A small amount of liquid on a surface.
A pool of blood
Pool
A localized glow of light.
Pool
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.
Pool
(sport) 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.
Pool
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.
Pool
(fencing) A group of fencers taking part in a competition.
Pool
Any gambling or commercial venture in which several persons join.
Pool
The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards, etc.; an aggregated stake to which each player has contributed a share; also, the receptacle for the stakes.
Pool
A combination of persons contributing money to be used for the purpose of increasing or depressing the market price of stocks, grain, or other commodities; also, the aggregate of the sums so contributed.
The pool took all the wheat offered below the limit.
He put $10,000 into the pool.
Pool
A set of players in quadrille etc.
Pool
(rail transport) A mutual arrangement between competing lines, by which the receipts of all are aggregated, and then distributed pro rata according to agreement.
Pool
(legal) An aggregation of properties or rights, belonging to different people in a community, in a common fund, to be charged with common liabilities.
Pool
To form a pool.
Pool
(transitive) 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.
We must pool our resources.
Pool
(intransitive) To combine or contribute with others, as for a commercial, speculative, or gambling transaction.
Pool
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; as, the pools of Solomon.
Charity will hardly water the ground where it must first fill a pool.
The sleepy pool above the dam.
Pool
A small body of standing or stagnant water; a puddle.
Pool
The stake played for in certain games of cards, billiards, etc.; an aggregated stake to which each player has contributed a snare; also, the receptacle for the stakes.
Pool
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 game of skill in pocketing the balls on a pool table.
He plays pool at the billiard houses.
Pool
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.
Pool
Any gambling or commercial venture in which several persons join.
Pool
A combination of persons contributing money to be used for the purpose of increasing or depressing the market price of stocks, grain, or other commodities; also, the aggregate of the sums so contributed; as, the pool took all the wheat offered below the limit; he put $10,000 into the pool.
Pool
A mutual arrangement between competing lines, by which the receipts of all are aggregated, and then distributed pro rata according to agreement.
Pool
An aggregation of properties or rights, belonging to different people in a community, in a common fund, to be charged with common liabilities.
Pool
To put together; to contribute to a common fund, on the basis of a mutual division of profits or losses; to make a common interest of; as, the companies pooled their traffic.
Finally, it favors the poolingof all issues.
Pool
To combine or contribute with others, as for a commercial, speculative, or gambling transaction.
Pool
An excavation that is (usually) filled with water
Pool
A small lake;
The pond was too small for sailing
Pool
An organization of people or resources that can be shared;
A car pool
A secretarial pool
When he was first hired he was assigned to the pool
Pool
An association of companies for some definite purpose
Pool
Any communal combination of funds;
Everyone contributed to the pool
Pool
A small body of standing water (rainwater) or other liquid;
There were puddles of muddy water in the road after the rain
The body lay in a pool of blood
Pool
The combined stakes of the betters
Pool
Something resembling a pool of liquid;
He stood in a pool of light
His chair sat in a puddle of books and magazines
Pool
Any of various games played on a pool table having 6 pockets
Pool
Combine into a common fund;
We pooled resources
Pool
Join or form a pool of people
Common Curiosities
Is a pond always man-made?
Ponds can be both natural formations or man-made.
What defines a pool?
A pool is a contained body of water, typically artificially constructed.
Can a pool be natural?
While most pools are man-made, natural pools exist, often referred to as swimming holes.
How do you clean a pool?
Pools are cleaned with filters and chemicals like chlorine.
What are common uses for a pond?
Ponds are used for aesthetics, wildlife habitats, and sometimes for fishing.
Can ponds be used for swimming?
Yes, some ponds can be used for swimming, but they are not specifically designed for it.
Are pools safe for fish?
Generally no, due to the chemicals used to treat the water.
What's the main difference between a pool and a pond?
The main difference is that pools are constructed for controlled use, whereas ponds are part of an ecosystem.
Do pools support wildlife?
Typically, pools do not support wildlife due to chlorine and other chemicals.
How deep is a typical pond?
Depths vary widely; garden ponds are usually shallow, while natural ponds can be much deeper.
Do ponds need to be cleaned?
Ponds may require occasional cleaning or management to maintain ecological balance.
Are pool and pond sizes regulated?
Pool sizes may be regulated by local codes, while pond sizes are often determined by the landscape or design intentions.
Can I create a pond on my property?
Yes, you can create a man-made pond on your property.
What materials are pools typically made from?
Pools are usually made from concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl.
Can a pond freeze in winter?
Yes, depending on the climate, a pond can freeze over.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
