pothole

UK: /ˈpɒthəʊl/ US: /ˈpɑtˌhoʊl/ ,(pot′hōl′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

pot•hole /ˈpɑtˌhoʊl/   n. [countable]

1. Civil Engineering a hole formed in pavement, caused by traffic or weather.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

pot•hole  (pot′hōl′), n. 

1. a deep hole;
   pit.
2. Civil Engineering a hole formed in pavement, as by excessive use or by extremes of weather.
3. Geology a more or less cylindrical hole formed in rock by the grinding action of the detrital material in eddying water.
4. Geology a cave opening vertically from the ground surface.

• pot¹ + hole 1820–30

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pothole / ˈpɒtˌhəʊl/ noun

1. a deep hole in limestone areas resulting from action by running water
   See also sinkhole1
2. a circular hole in the bed of a river produced by abrasion
3. a deep hole, esp one produced in a road surface by wear or weathering