rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypotholeHole in a road
noun

pothole

PAHT-hohl/ˈpɑːthəʊl/

A hole worn into a road surface.

The pothole has crumbling asphalt edges around a shallow muddy puddle.

A close three-quarter view of a weather-worn pothole in an asphalt road, with irregular crumbling edges, exposed gravel and a shallow muddy puddle inside.
Etymology
potMiddle Englishpit, hollow
+holeEnglishhole, cavity

Pot here is an old word for a pit or hollow. The compound first named cylindrical cavities in rock and was later applied to holes in road surfaces.

In context

Ohio LTAP Center17:21
it would be a waste of time and money to resurface a road that needs major repairs if we were to pave over this pothole it would reappear in the new pavement resurfacing doesn't repair potholes
Bituminous Concrete Paving

More examples

  • Road crews fill potholes along Main Street.
  • My front tire hits a deep pothole.
  • Rainwater hides the potholes near the curb.

Forms

pothole · potholes

Similar words

hole
A broader term for an opening or cavity anywhere.
rut
A long groove worn by wheels, not an isolated hole.