pothole

American  

[pot-hohl] / ˈpɒtˌhoʊl /

noun

1. a deep hole; pit.

2. a hole formed in pavement, as by excessive use or by extremes of weather.

3. a more or less cylindrical hole formed in rock by the grinding action of the detrital material in eddying water.

4. a cave opening vertically from the ground surface.

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pothole British  

/ ˈpɒtˌhəʊl /

noun

1. geography

   1. a deep hole in limestone areas resulting from action by running water See also sinkhole

   2. a circular hole in the bed of a river produced by abrasion

2. a deep hole, esp one produced in a road surface by wear or weathering

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Etymology

Origin of pothole

First recorded in 1820–30; pot ¹ + hole

Example Sentences

There are times when I’m intentionally maneuvering to avoid debris or a pothole, but the system assumes it’s an error and aggressively pulls me back, which feels more disruptive than helpful.

From The Wall Street Journal

Putin uses his hours-long TV marathon both as a forum for fiery foreign policy statements and to offer up all sorts of advice on love and family matters, recite poetry or promise to fix potholes.

From Barron's

From the driver’s seat, every pothole looked like the mouth of financial hell.

From The Wall Street Journal

There were also complaints about the NHS, potholes, homelessness and the benefits bill.

From BBC

She may have avoided those potholes by working overtime and by relying on her immigrant community when it came to childcare and other homefront duties.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• crater