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
PennDOT crews hit the road on Monday to try to fill at least some of the bigger potholes that have opened up during this recent thaw.
—
Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Report a pothole through the Mayor’s Action Center online at RequestIndy or by calling 317-327-4622.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 13 Feb. 2026
Residents are encouraged to report potholes by filling out an online form or calling Metro311 or 502-574-5000.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
The driver, nicknamed Renas, tried to keep pace while avoiding potholes.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Ross Guidotti, CBS News, 16 Feb. 2026
Report a pothole through the Mayor’s Action Center online at RequestIndy or by calling 317-327-4622.
—Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 13 Feb. 2026
Residents are encouraged to report potholes by filling out an online form or calling Metro311 or 502-574-5000.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Feb. 2026
The driver, nicknamed Renas, tried to keep pace while avoiding potholes.
—Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 11 Feb. 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 18 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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