sinkhole

noun

sink·​hole ˈsiŋk-ˌhōl How to pronounce sinkhole (audio)
1
: a hollow place or depression in which drainage collects
2
: a hollow in a limestone region that communicates with a cavern or passage
3
4
: something (such as an unprofitable investment) that steadily drains money or resources
a financial sinkhole

Examples of sinkhole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Crews continue with repairs to a sinkhole which formed on Sunday 6/1. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025 Trains aren’t running, many planes are delayed or canceled and a stretch of highway is closed because of sinkholes that — who knows? — might lead to a better kind of hell. Dan Barry, New York Times, 18 May 2025 Officials with the Xcel Energy Center said their day-to-day operations and events are not impacted by the sinkhole. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025 On Sunday more than two dozen families were cut off after the rains opened a sinkhole in Aguas Buenas, a town outside San Juan. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for sinkhole

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sinkhole was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sinkhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinkhole. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

sinkhole

noun
sink·​hole ˈsiŋk-ˌhōl How to pronounce sinkhole (audio)
: a hollow place in which drainage collects

More from Merriam-Webster on sinkhole

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