The Cd atom in the polymeric title compound, [Cd(C(14)H(8)O(5))(H(2)O)](n), is linked to four carboxyl O atoms and a water molecule in a five-coordinate coordination polyhedron that is midway between a square pyramid and a trigonal bipyramid. The Cd atom and the water molecules both lie on the same twofold axis and the central O atom of the 4,4'-oxydibenzoate moiety lies on another twofold axis. Covalent Cd-O bonds lead to the formation of a layer architecture perpendicular to the twofold axis, the layers being held together by hydrogen bonds in the third direction.