car pool
Definition
Noun: 1. An arrangement for sharing rides: A car pool is a formal or informal agreement among a small group of people. They take turns using one person's car to travel together to a common destination, such as work or school, instead of each person driving separately. 2. The group itself: The term can also refer to the specific group of people who participate in this shared transportation arrangement.
Usage
Car pool is used as a compound noun. It describes both the cooperative system and the participants in it. * Joining a car pool reduces commuting costs and traffic congestion. * Our office car pool has four members.
Examples
- As an arrangement:
- "To save money on gas, they set up a car pool."
- "The company encourages employees to form a car pool."
- As the group:
- "I'm in a car pool with three neighbors."
- "Our car pool meets at the park-and-ride lot at 7:30 AM."
Advanced Usage
- "Car pool lane" (or HOV lane): A special lane on a highway reserved for vehicles with multiple occupants, typically those from a . (Note: This is a related compound term, not the target word itself).
- "We can use the car pool lane because there are three of us."
Variants and Related Words
- Carpool (verb): The act of participating in a car pool. Often written as one word when used as a verb.
- "We carpool to work every Tuesday."
- Carpooling (noun/gerund): The practice or system of sharing car journeys.
- "Carpooling is an effective way to be more eco-friendly."
Synonyms
- Ride-sharing: A broader term for sharing rides, which can include services like taxis or apps, not just a recurring group.
- Lift share (UK English): A common British term with a similar meaning.
Related Phrases
- To be in a car pool: To participate in a car pool arrangement.
- "Are you in a car pool this semester?"
- To organize/form a car pool: To create a new car pool group.
- "We should organize a car pool for the soccer team."
Noun
-
a small group of car drivers who arrange to take turns driving while the others are passengers
