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
Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse On March 26, a container ship struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing the bridge and killing six construction workers who were filling potholes on the span.
—
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 26 Dec. 2024
The big picture: The impact of that event — when hundreds lost power and were trapped in their homes, businesses were forced to close and potholes plagued the streets — has raised questions about how the city will respond to future natural disasters.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
When the permafrost under airstrips melted, the pavement buckled, and the resulting potholes could damage landing gear.
—Paul Bierman, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024
The roads are full of litter and potholes, with raw sewage and piles of uncollected garbage posing a health risk.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pothole 
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Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 26 Dec. 2024
The big picture: The impact of that event — when hundreds lost power and were trapped in their homes, businesses were forced to close and potholes plagued the streets — has raised questions about how the city will respond to future natural disasters.
—Meira Gebel, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024
When the permafrost under airstrips melted, the pavement buckled, and the resulting potholes could damage landing gear.
—Paul Bierman, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Sep. 2024
The roads are full of litter and potholes, with raw sewage and piles of uncollected garbage posing a health risk.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pothole
Dictionary Entries Near pothole
Cite this Entry
“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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