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

Boston’s potholes have always needed fixing, and the Council has long been tasked with attending to matters that affect the lives of constituents. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 16 May 2025

Smaller crews working fewer hours have ballooned the city’s backlog of pothole repairs from roughly 150 just before the restrictions to nearly 2,000. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2025

Information about potholes can be used to dispatch repair crews while salt trucks can be sent out to deal with icy roads. —Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025

This designer tote bag also zips closed, so speed bumps and potholes are no cause for concern. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 31 Mar. 2025

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)