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
That’s the time of year when some roads get covered in a thin layer of oil and gravel, intended to prevent potholes and extend the roadway’s life.
—
Rose Evans
january 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Jan. 2026
But the car—small, low to the ground, and exceedingly heavy, owing to the ballistic steel and glass—is not suited to a city like Caracas, which is rife with steep inclines and deep potholes, and is best travelled in a four-by-four.
—Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
In just the last few weeks since Christmas Eve, crews have repaired more than 3,800 potholes and are working seven days a week to tackle the surge of new complaints, according to the Bureau of Street Services.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Crews will install barrier walls, patch potholes, and perform striping work during the closures.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pothole
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Rose Evans
january 17, Idaho Statesman, 17 Jan. 2026
But the car—small, low to the ground, and exceedingly heavy, owing to the ballistic steel and glass—is not suited to a city like Caracas, which is rife with steep inclines and deep potholes, and is best travelled in a four-by-four.
—Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026
In just the last few weeks since Christmas Eve, crews have repaired more than 3,800 potholes and are working seven days a week to tackle the surge of new complaints, according to the Bureau of Street Services.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Crews will install barrier walls, patch potholes, and perform striping work during the closures.
—Caroline Neal, Louisville Courier Journal, 13 Jan. 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 22 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
