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
In her first budget this coming Wednesday, the U.K.’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will announce a $650 million fund to fill more potholes.
—
Carlton Reid, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
At the time of the incident, eight construction workers were fixing potholes on the bridge.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Its asphalt is filling potholes in six states as well as Canada.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2024
Fees would go toward parts of Wauwatosa where most reckless driving occurs
The fees would help the city pay for things like pothole patching, sealcoating, filling cracks and other road fixes in the areas hit hardest by reckless driving.
—Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pothole 
Carlton Reid, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
At the time of the incident, eight construction workers were fixing potholes on the bridge.
—Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 25 Oct. 2024
Its asphalt is filling potholes in six states as well as Canada.
—Diana Olick, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2024
Fees would go toward parts of Wauwatosa where most reckless driving occurs
The fees would help the city pay for things like pothole patching, sealcoating, filling cracks and other road fixes in the areas hit hardest by reckless driving.
—Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 4 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pothole
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pothole.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near pothole
Cite this Entry
“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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