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
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
But a gaping pothole the less deft of these films court — the imposition of condescending judgment and an invite to mock — is also sidestepped.
—David Katz, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2025
Except for that time the axle broke on my car from a pothole or that one bridge collapse, our roads are perfect!
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
Otherwise, what appeared to be a great opportunity and a perfect fit, could wind up being a career pothole in disguise.
—Edward Segal, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pothole
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Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
But a gaping pothole the less deft of these films court — the imposition of condescending judgment and an invite to mock — is also sidestepped.
—David Katz, IndieWire, 18 Feb. 2025
Except for that time the axle broke on my car from a pothole or that one bridge collapse, our roads are perfect!
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 13 Feb. 2025
Otherwise, what appeared to be a great opportunity and a perfect fit, could wind up being a career pothole in disguise.
—Edward Segal, Forbes, 18 Jan. 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 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pothole
noun
pot·hole
ˈpät-ˌhōl 
: a deep round hole (as in a road)
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