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
Avoid potholes, taxis, and motorcycles slamming on their brakes without warning, pedestrians who cross without looking.
—
Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Reducing pension costs can free up money to prevent driving over tire-damaging potholes.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025
That isn’t news to anyone who drives around the county and parts of the city, where potholes are plentiful.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The city with the most potholes and bumpy streets?
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Literary Hub, 5 Dec. 2025
Reducing pension costs can free up money to prevent driving over tire-damaging potholes.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Dec. 2025
That isn’t news to anyone who drives around the county and parts of the city, where potholes are plentiful.
—Ariane Lange, Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025
The city with the most potholes and bumpy streets?
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 26 Nov. 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 13 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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