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
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Moore soon learned that a ship had lost power and crashed into one of the bridge’s supporting columns, killing the six workers — whose assignment that night was filling potholes on the bridge.
—
Lea Skene, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
My eyes drifted between the streets, vigilant for potholes, and the curve of Guillaume’s shoulder blades under a heather gray T-shirt.
—Caitlin Gunther, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The worst potholes typically don't form until March, when the weather warms up.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
Labor officials noted the violation of a fall protection standard, while serious, did not cause or contribute to the deaths of six Brawner employees who were filling potholes on the Key Bridge.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025
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Lea Skene, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025
My eyes drifted between the streets, vigilant for potholes, and the curve of Guillaume’s shoulder blades under a heather gray T-shirt.
—Caitlin Gunther, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2025
The worst potholes typically don't form until March, when the weather warms up.
—Justin L. MacK, Axios, 21 Feb. 2025
Labor officials noted the violation of a fall protection standard, while serious, did not cause or contribute to the deaths of six Brawner employees who were filling potholes on the Key Bridge.
—Dan Belson, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
Cite this Entry
“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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