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
Kids of all ages can jump in the driver’s seat of big road and bridge vehicles, learn crosswalk safety, fill potholes, microchip a stuffed animal, be a junior building inspector, plan a city, and more.
—
Laura Daily, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
But some analysts say the market’s optimism is doing cartwheels over a policy pothole.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Those choices will likely dictate whether the ultimate story of this recent two-season stretch is more of a speed bump on the road to further success or a pothole that sent them careening off the highway.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Courtenay Brown Mar 6, 2025 - Business Trump stares down early economic potholes
Buy your local economist a drink: The economic backdrop is more chaotic and uncertain than it's been in years — a result of fast-moving and sometimes vague Trump policy.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Laura Daily, Denver Post, 4 June 2025
But some analysts say the market’s optimism is doing cartwheels over a policy pothole.
—Quartz Staff, Quartz, 13 May 2025
Those choices will likely dictate whether the ultimate story of this recent two-season stretch is more of a speed bump on the road to further success or a pothole that sent them careening off the highway.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Courtenay Brown Mar 6, 2025 - Business Trump stares down early economic potholes
Buy your local economist a drink: The economic backdrop is more chaotic and uncertain than it's been in years — a result of fast-moving and sometimes vague Trump policy.
—Courtenay Brown, Axios, 19 Mar. 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 14 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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