splash pad

noun

variants or less commonly splashpad
plural splash pads also splashpads
: a ground-level recreational structure (as in a city park) for children that is equipped with fountains and usually other features that spray water
Children rushed onto the splash pad when the ribbon was cut and the water was switched on. Soon boys and girls were running through cool water fountains and sprays while their families watched.Greg Jordan
The 91-foot circular splash pad … will feature interactive water elements ranging from gentle sprays to high-volume play structures.The Herald-Citizen (Cookeville, Tennessee)
The first full week of summer brought a heat wave …, prompting some to hit area pools and splashpads.Christine Lee
also : a similar smaller structure or feature for home use
This recently remodeled home sits on a large corner lot. … the backyard features its own splash pad with water jets. Elizabeth Tucker
If relaxing on a water-spritzing splash pad is more their speed, then you can pick up this whale and fish-printed 68-inch splash pad at 74% off. Danielle Halibey

Examples of splash pad in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
On the same day as the incidents involving the 3-year-old boy that are outlined in the lawsuit, WhatsApp text messages between management and staff show that four children from another classroom were left unsupervised outside on a splash pad, the complaint states. Lina Ruiz may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026 Lerner said a splash pad was added along with a dog park, a picnic shelter, a basketball hoop with room for half-court games and a walking path seven-tenths of a mile around — the longest in any of the city’s parks. Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026 The communal pool has a splash pad with a mushroom shower for little ones, while the secluded two-story lagoon villas have private pools, large living spaces, and two to three bedrooms ideal for multi-generational families. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 May 2026 First phase brings new amenities Visitors can now enjoy green space, a pavilion, an indoor activity area, and a splash pad as part of the project's first phase. Dawn White, CBS News, 10 May 2026 Swimming in the pool (new skill unlocked this past trip), relaxing in the lazy river, running around in the splash pad, and then back to the cabana for a snack break and occasional nap! Georgia Slater, PEOPLE, 6 May 2026 Belltower Green is the city’s urban greenspace and gardens, and is the spot for enjoying summer concerts, seasonal parades, and a splash pad during the warmer months. Katie Riley, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2026 Relax at Palmetto Park, a local favorite with tennis courts, trails, a playground, and a splash pad for kids. Abby Price, Travel + Leisure, 17 Apr. 2026 Since then, the redevelopment group has added Yanaguana Garden, a park with play equipment and a splash pad, and Civic Park, a park with water features and an expansive lawn. Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of splash pad was in 1979

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Cite this Entry

“Splash pad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/splash%20pad. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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