swimming pool
swimming pool
Pronunciation
swim-
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/w/ - voiced labial-velar approximant
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/m/ - voiced bilabial nasal
-ming
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/ŋ/ - voiced velar nasal
pool
/p/ - voiceless bilabial plosive
/uː/ - close back rounded vowel (long)
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular: swimming pool
Plural: swimming pools
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A constructed basin, typically filled with water, designed for the purpose of swimming, diving, or other aquatic recreational activities. These structures can be found in various settings, including private residences, public facilities, and athletic complexes.
Synonyms: pool, lido (British English), natatorium (formal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "land" or "dry ground" represent the opposite environment)
(Figurative) A situation or environment characterized by an abundance or oversupply of a particular resource, often to the point of being overwhelming or readily available.
Synonyms: abundance, plethora, glut, excess
Antonyms: scarcity, dearth, lack, shortage
Examples of Use
Books:
"He spent his afternoons by the swimming pool, reading old detective novels and sipping iced tea." (From The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925)
In Life of Pi by Yann Martel (2001), the protagonist reflects on a swimming pool in a zoo: "The swimming pool was a concrete oasis, a stark blue rectangle amid the wild greenery."
Newspapers:
"The city council approved plans for a new public swimming pool in the downtown area, aiming for completion by next summer." (As reported in The New York Times)
"Local residents are concerned about the rising cost of maintaining the community's Olympic-sized swimming pool." (From The Guardian)
Online Publications:
A recent article on Architectural Digest online showcased "10 Stunning Modern Homes with Breathtaking Swimming Pools." (Architectural Digest)
"Experts advise on proper chemical balancing for backyard swimming pool maintenance to ensure water safety." (From a Home & Garden blog)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie A Bigger Splash (2015), much of the drama unfolds around a sprawling swimming pool at a remote Italian villa.
Television: An episode of The Simpsons titled "Bart of Darkness" (August 1994) features Bart breaking his leg, which leads to Lisa getting a swimming pool and him feeling left out.
Music: Frank Ocean's song "Swim Good" (2011) uses the imagery of driving a car into a swimming pool as a metaphor for escape and despair.
Video Games: Many simulation games, such as The Sims series, allow players to design and build elaborate swimming pools for their characters.
General Public Discourse:
"We spent the whole summer at the beach and the hotel's swimming pool." (Common vacation anecdote)
"Is the swimming pool open yet for the season?" (Typical question among neighbors in warmer climates)
"I need to find a house with a swimming pool for the kids to enjoy." (Expressed desire during a house hunt)
10 Quotes Using Swimming pool
"A swimming pool is a great thing for a community. It's a place for people to gather and have fun." (Michael Phelps)
"My ideal day is to wake up, have a cup of coffee, and then jump in the swimming pool." (Jessica Alba)
"I always wanted a swimming pool, not for swimming, but just to have it." (Audrey Hepburn)
"The only time I feel truly relaxed is when I'm floating in a swimming pool." (Jennifer Aniston)
"A book is a swimming pool that you can dive into." (Author Unknown)
"There's something about a swimming pool that just screams 'summer'." (Martha Stewart)
"Life is like a swimming pool. You dive into it." (Chinese Proverb)
"My idea of a perfect evening is a good book and a quiet swimming pool." (Reese Witherspoon)
"He lay on his back in the swimming pool, staring up at the clear sky." (From The Swimmer by John Cheever)
"The swimming pool represented a new kind of luxury, an escape from the ordinary." (Architectural historian's commentary on mid-century design)
Etymology
The word "swimming pool" is pretty straightforward in its origins, as it combines two older English words: "swimming" and "pool."
Let's break it down:
"Swimming" comes from the Old English word "swimman," which meant to move through water. This word has ancient roots in Germanic languages, referring to the act of propelling oneself in water.
"Pool" also has Old English origins, from "pōl," which referred to a small body of still water. This word is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, all pointing to a natural collection of water.
So, when you put them together, "swimming pool" literally means a "pool for swimming."
The first known use of "swimming pool" as a compound term, specifically referring to an artificial basin built for swimming, really gained traction in the mid-19th century. Before then, people might have simply referred to a "bath" or a "pond" where one could swim. As constructed facilities for swimming became more common, especially for public use and recreation, the specific term "swimming pool" emerged to clearly describe these man-made structures. Its meaning has remained consistent: a dedicated body of water, usually artificial, for people to swim in.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Swimming pool
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "swimming pool" or its close synonym "pool":
Swimming pool blues: A feeling of sadness or disappointment, perhaps after a summer has ended or a good time by the pool is over.
Deep end of the swimming pool: (Idiomatic, from "deep end of the pool") Referring to a challenging or difficult situation, often one that requires quick learning or adaptation.
Throw someone in the swimming pool: (Similar to "throw someone in the deep end") To put someone into a difficult situation with little preparation, forcing them to learn quickly.
Swimming pool party: A common phrase referring to a social gathering centered around a swimming pool.
Swimming pool season: The period of the year when swimming pools are typically open for use, often during warmer months.
(To be) a big fish in a small swimming pool: (Idiomatic, from "big fish in a small pond") To be an important or influential person within a limited or small community.
Diving into the swimming pool: (Literal and sometimes metaphorical) To enthusiastically begin an activity or challenge.
Swimming pool chemistry: Refers to the specific balance of chemicals needed to maintain a clean and safe swimming pool.
Lap in the swimming pool: A single length swum from one end of a pool to the other.
Community swimming pool: A shared pool available for public use within a particular area.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of swimming pool
from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
