A puddle is a small, shallow pool of water that collects on the ground after rain or when water spills. You've probably jumped in puddles on the sidewalk after a storm, or carefully stepped around them trying to keep your shoes dry.

Puddles form in low spots, cracks, or uneven surfaces where water can't drain away quickly. On a rainy playground, puddles appear in the dips of the blacktop. After washing the car, puddles form in the driveway. They're usually thin enough that you can see the bottom, unlike a pond or lake.

The word can describe any small pool of liquid, not just water. A puddle of spilled juice might form on the kitchen floor, or a puddle of melted ice cream on a hot sidewalk. When something melts or spills, it often puddles on the ground, spreading out in that characteristic flat, irregular shape.

Puddles don't last long. When the sun comes out, they shrink and disappear as the water evaporates. That's why you might find a big puddle in the morning and return hours later to find only a damp spot. Some kids love splashing through puddles in their rain boots, while others prefer to hop over them entirely.