Puddle

A puddle is a small, shallow accumulation of liquid on a surface, especially rainwater on the ground. Its size and persistence depend on drainage, evaporation, and continued inflow.

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Surface runoff: Water that flows over land rather than infiltrating into the ground. Rain becomes puddle inflow when it runs across an impermeable or saturated surface.
Stormwater management: The planning and control of rainwater runoff to reduce flooding and pollution. Puddle formation is one visible outcome that stormwater systems aim to manage.
Water: A chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen with the formula H₂O. Rainwater is the most familiar liquid that forms outdoor puddles.
Rain puddle: A temporary pool of rainwater collected on the ground or another surface. This is the most familiar instance of a puddle.
Infiltration: The movement of water from the ground surface into soil or porous material. Infiltration competes with surface accumulation and can empty a puddle.
Pothole: A cavity in a road surface, often enlarged by water, traffic, and freeze-thaw cycles. Water pooling in cracks can contribute to the damage that develops into potholes.
Precipitation: Water released from the atmosphere as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Rainfall commonly supplies the water that gathers into puddles.
Tide pool: A pool of seawater left among rocks on a shore as the tide recedes. Like a puddle, it is shallow surface water, but tides and marine life shape its conditions.
Evaporation: The change of a liquid into vapor at a surface below its boiling point. Evaporation removes exposed water and helps determine how long a puddle lasts.
Mosquito: A flying insect whose females in many species feed on blood and can transmit pathogens. Some mosquitoes lay eggs in standing water, including persistent puddles.