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.
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

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of pothole was in 1826

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

pothole

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

More from Merriam-Webster on pothole

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