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.
With the defense having failed to get a gag order on witnesses or see the case tossed out on allegations of government leaks, the road to that trial is looking increasingly to be full of potholes. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 19 Nov. 2024 The overall cost of pothole to the U.K. economy, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, is $18 billion. Carlton Reid, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 The 100,000-plus-ton ship Dali slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the early hours of March 26 as a work crew was fixing potholes. Daniella Silva, NBC News, 20 Sep. 2024 The marketing of Megalopolis hit a major pothole in late August when an initial trailer was quickly pulled by Lionsgate after it was revealed that critics’ quotes cited in the teaser were incorrect. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near pothole

Cite this Entry

“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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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