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
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.
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 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share