pothole

noun

pot·​hole ˈpät-ˌhōl 

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

potholed

ˈpät-ˌhōld 

adjective

Examples of pothole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Bobcek said repairs to such defects as potholes would be made before the transport and again after, and that drainage can be immediately evaluated after the haul. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026

Levine Cava said the transportation department also maintains local roads, where the county already has an $18 million backlog of pothole repairs. — CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

Al Hassan remembers showing a group of visitors TAMM’s feature for taking pictures and reporting potholes. — Inzamam Rashid, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2026

However, funding transportation infrastructure, road improvements, and fixing potholes is a core function of government. — Charlotte Observer, 14 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for pothole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

pothole

noun

pot·​hole ˈpät-ˌhōl 

: a deep round hole (as in a road)