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

Most companies — including State Farm, Progressive and Geico — will pay for pothole damage so long as your policy has collision coverage. —Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026

Using both sensors and cameras on the car and Car-to-X data, the GLC will automatically detect potholes, bumps, or other road imperfections and adjust its suspension accordingly. —Sean Evans, Robb Report, 24 Mar. 2026

Instead, legislators could fix problems that affect everyone, like improving affordability or government efficiency, or even just filling potholes. —Darren Rosenblum, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has had a busy March filling potholes around the state. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 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)