pothole

noun

pot·​hole ˈpät-ˌhōl How to pronounce pothole (audio)
Synonyms of potholenext
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 How to pronounce pothole (audio)
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.
The roads outside Nissan Technical Center Europe are a mix of rural and town roads, with potholes, blind corners, some narrow widths, and plenty of obstacles, including, today, me. — Carlton Reid, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025 The House and Senate will ultimately have to pass the exact same budget package, and the road to that outcome looks filled with potholes. — Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 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. — Axios, 11 Mar. 2025 Investors can anticipate further potential potholes in the market by looking at a few stocks Barclays thinks are no longer attractive. — Pia Singh, CNBC, 9 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

Rhymes for pothole

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Browse Nearby Words

pothole
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Cite this Entry

“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pothole

Nglish: Translation of pothole for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pothole

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