black spot

American  

[blak spot, blak spot] / ˈblæk ˈspɒt, ˈblæk ˌspɒt /

Or blackspot

noun

1. Plant Pathology. a disease of plants, characterized by black spots on the fruit and foliage, twig lesions, defoliation, and rotting, caused by any of several fungi, as Diplocarpon rosae, or bacteria.

2. British.

   1. a hazardous place in a road where accidents frequently occur.

   2. a dangerous area or place.

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black spot British  

noun

1. a place on a road where accidents frequently occur

2. any dangerous or difficult place

3. a disease of roses, Diplocarpon rosae , that causes circular black blotches on the leaves

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Etymology

Origin of black spot

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Each specimen showed wing feathers that were white with a distinct black spot at the tip.

From Science Daily • Mar. 18, 2026

But affordability alone cannot solve our widespread underuse of hearing aids, which we should be discussing as a black spot in American public health.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2024

WeWork, which finally went public in 2021 at a much reduced valuation than initially expected, remains a black spot for SoftBank that sunk billions for its investors.

From Reuters • Nov. 1, 2023

The standout of the bunch featured each member of the Baird O’Connell clan on a New Year’s greeting card — each sporting a black spot around their eye just like Pepper had.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Instead, I run my hands over the cow’s coarse fur, over the black spot between her ears where she likes being scratched.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau