noun
waterhole
noun
1
A natural pool or hollow where water collects, especially one animals visit to drink.
"The elephants gathered at the waterhole every evening."
"During the dry season, the waterhole shrinks to a muddy puddle."
2
Informally, a bar or pub — a place people gather to drink and socialize.
"They stopped by their favorite waterhole after work."
How to Use Waterhole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spot where water collects for animals to drink, or casually, a bar.
Common pairings
gather at the waterhole
local waterhole
Word Forms
waterholes plural
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Etymology
A plain compound of "water" and "hole." In radio astronomy the term was borrowed by scientist Bernard Oliver in 1971 for a quiet band of the radio spectrum between hydrogen and hydroxyl emission lines, on the idea that alien civilizations might use this "quiet" frequency range to communicate — much like animals gathering at a literal waterhole.