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
Bryson says that because more money has been dished out to each county for road repairs, there are fewer potholes than in previous years.
—
Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The landscape for the 2026 tax season has its fair share of potential potholes ahead.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
As ice and sleet from the winter storm thaw, potholes in North Texas may get worse than before.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The landscape for the 2026 tax season has its fair share of potential potholes ahead.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Alysia Burgio, CBS News, 30 Jan. 2026
The landscape for the 2026 tax season has its fair share of potential potholes ahead.
—Susan Tompor, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
As ice and sleet from the winter storm thaw, potholes in North Texas may get worse than before.
—Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 29 Jan. 2026
The landscape for the 2026 tax season has its fair share of potential potholes ahead.
—Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pothole
Cite this Entry
“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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