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

Some people were like, 'These bills and these potholes — like, my condition hasn't been improved by NASA. —Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 29 Mar. 2026

New Yorkers have called in some 23,000 pothole complaints so far in 2026 — the largest year-over-year increase on record, the Post reported. —Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 29 Mar. 2026

Going forward, candidates for city office must address this history — not just potholes, pensions and homelessness. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026

The department monitors older pavement in an effort to be proactive, but pothole reports from residents help identify trouble areas faster. —Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 24 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)