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
Loren Taylor, a former Oakland City Council member, has gained traction with voters as a moderate candidate who has pledged to fix potholes, reduce crime and shorten 911 response times.
—
Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
The underlying assumption is that planning can avoid deep potholes.
—Allen Best, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Courtenay Brown 39 mins ago - 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.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
That was reduced to one report per pothole after Soriano got a call from a city representative instructing the group to do so.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Soumya Karlamangla, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
The underlying assumption is that planning can avoid deep potholes.
—Allen Best, The Denver Post, 10 Mar. 2025
Courtenay Brown 39 mins ago - 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.
—Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 6 Mar. 2025
That was reduced to one report per pothole after Soriano got a call from a city representative instructing the group to do so.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
Cite this Entry
“Pothole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pothole. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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