Meaning & Definition
noun
A seat without a back or arms, typically having three or four legs.
She sat on a wooden stool at the kitchen counter.
A piece of furniture designed to support a person in a sitting position, often used in bars and kitchens.
He ordered a drink and took a seat on a bar stool.
Feces.
The doctor asked if there had been any changes in her stool.
A stool sample, often used for medical tests.
The lab requested a stool sample to check for infections.
Etymology
Middle English: from Old English ‘stōl’.
Common Phrases and Expressions
stool sample:
A specimen of stool collected for medical examination.
stool pigeon:
An informant, especially one who betrays their associates.
Slang Meanings
An informant or someone who tells on others.
Don't be a stool by telling the teacher about the prank.
Used to describe someone who is unreliable or untrustworthy.
He's such a stool when it comes to keeping secrets.