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

Colbert’s final show mostly stayed away from politics, with even the opening monologue tending toward less pointed jokes about whimsical subjects like potholes on an airport runway, as if the host was intent on not going out on an adversarial note. —Chris Willman, Variety, 22 May 2026

The City Council also approved a $75,000 construction contract with Southland Paving for asphalt roadway patch repairs, which supplement the potholes and other minor issues that are repaired by city staff. —Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2026

Six construction workers who had been filling potholes were killed in the bridge collapse. —ABC News, 20 May 2026

That covers 107 lane miles of heavy street maintenance like resurfacing asphalt, and 109 lane miles of preservation like filling in cracks and potholes, according to the report. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 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)