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
Waze users can confirm or flag potholes, which helps improve accuracy over time.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Thomson looked at the situation Sunday and saw potholes everywhere.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Mynor López was a part of a road maintenance crew filling potholes when the bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo vessel.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
And the city can get back to fixing potholes.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Thomson looked at the situation Sunday and saw potholes everywhere.
—Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026
Mynor López was a part of a road maintenance crew filling potholes when the bridge collapsed after being hit by a cargo vessel.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 24 Apr. 2026
And the city can get back to fixing potholes.
—Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pothole
Cite this Entry
“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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