1
a
: a circular hole formed in the rocky bed of a river by the grinding action of stones or gravel whirled round by the water
b
: a sizable rounded often water-filled depression in land
2
: a pot-shaped hole in a road surface
3
: a usually minor difficulty or setback
hit a pothole in her comeback attempt
Examples of pothole in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Well, not driving for long — the kids hit a pothole, spin out, and crash into a tree.
—
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Guardiola would use the lessons from the season’s first half to fill the potholes and pave the way to another title.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Gigantic potholes that are against code enforcement in front of their café.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Dec. 2025
Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge were killed in the collapse.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2025
Guardiola would use the lessons from the season’s first half to fill the potholes and pave the way to another title.
—Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 12 Dec. 2025
Gigantic potholes that are against code enforcement in front of their café.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Dec. 2025
Six construction workers who were filling potholes on the bridge were killed in the collapse.
—Adam Thompson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
Cite this Entry
“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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