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

How will this harsh winter affect potholes? —Ahmad Bajjey, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026

Garbage must be picked up, potholes fixed, first responders must be prompt, schools must be open, and, as the expression goes, the trains must run on time. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2026

And then there is comparing-your-ex-to-potholes petty. —Yifan Wu, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2026

Avoid braking abruptly when driving over a pothole as doing so will compress the vehicle’s suspension and add extra force to the tire. —Jim Gorzelany, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 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)