barrow pit

noun

, Western U.S.

1. a roadside borrow pit dug for drainage purposes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of barrow pit¹

Apparently in reference to the mound of earth dug from the pit ( barrow ² ); variants with bar perhaps from regional pronunciation of barrow

Example Sentences

“It must have come as quite a shock because she ended up swerving down into the barrow pit and back up onto the road.”

From Washington Post

The vehicle had gone around a corner, causing the trailer to go off the road and into a barrow pit.

From Washington Times