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

Now, more than half of the trucks used to fill potholes sit idle every day because of our staffing shortage. —Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026

Too often, the city still operates one complaint at a time — one pothole, one streetlight, one service request, one permit moving slowly from desk to desk. —Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

As ongoing construction and pothole repairs are underway, this is a shop that can help with car repairs as needed. —Brian Sherrod, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

The ride is obviously tuned for comfort, but not stunning at quashing bumps and light potholes. —Adam Ismail, The Drive, 29 Apr. 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)