pothole

noun

pot·​hole ˈpät-ˌhōl How to pronounce pothole (audio)
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 adjective

Examples of pothole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Otherwise, what appeared to be a great opportunity and a perfect fit, could wind up being a career pothole in disguise. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Edward Segal, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025 Scarce water reduces them to extracting moisture from potholes via syringes. Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 13 Jan. 2025 To reduce time exposed, the driver accelerated to speeds approaching 80 miles an hour, weaving past potholes and shell craters on the route. C.j. Chivers Robert Fass Krish Seenivasan Steven Szczesniak, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024 The making of and fixing a pothole Potholes essentially form after snow and rain seep through cracks in the pavement, according to TDOT. Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pothole 

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pothole was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near pothole

Cite this Entry

“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

pothole

noun
pot·​hole ˈpät-ˌhōl How to pronounce pothole (audio)
: a deep round hole (as in a road)

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