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

Receiving just over 50% of the votes, Barnes said how important it was for her to work for local people and pledged to focus on improving potholes and grass verges.

From BBC

Women ride past on donkey carts, piled high with vegetables, jolting over potholes deep enough to trap a wheel.

From Barron's

“Do you want to trim trees and fix potholes or build housing? Sometimes that is the brutal reality.”

From Los Angeles Times

Four cars with busted tyres, thanks to a pothole.

From BBC

You hear the gut-wrenching thud as your car hits an unavoidable pothole.

From BBC

Related Words

• crater