pothole

[pot-hohl]

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.

pothole

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pothole¹

First recorded in 1820–30; pot ¹ + hole

Example Sentences

He said he knew a lot about grass and potholes will be gone and marble will be polished.

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Insurance companies fix potholes and sponsor fire brigades to reduce claims.

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And things got worse for Davis when he stepped into a pothole and injured an ankle during a farcical spring training visit to Puerto Rico.

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She pushed for Buxton to have a town council and for repairs to its many potholes - as Britain's highest market town, the weather often leaves its mark.

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You’re telling me to bet on American infrastructure when I can’t even get the pothole on my street fixed after two years of complaints?

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Related Words

• crater