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

Sidestep a stubborn pothole and more fresh new energy blows in. —Magi Helena, Dallas Morning News, 14 Mar. 2026

Instead of spending millions and disrupting the local area for years building roundabouts, fill the potholes that tear our cars apart. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Mar. 2026

Since the start of the year, DOT has filled over 50,000 potholes, according to the mayor’s office. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 13 Mar. 2026

Diane Cross, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Transportation, said crews were trying to keep up with potholes that kept evolving on the older section of the road, with multiple reports of motorists getting flat tires. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 12 Mar. 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)