brink

noun

ˈbriŋk 

1

: edge

especially : the edge at the top of a steep place

2

: a bank especially of a river

3

: the point of onset : verge

on the brink of war

4

: the threshold of danger

Synonyms

• cusp
• edge
• point
• threshold
• verge

Examples of brink in a Sentence

was at the brink of death when the rescuers arrived

Recent Examples on the Web

The boardwalk will replace the steps that lead to the viewing platform at the waterfall's brink, with benches installed along the way, said Kevin Dennis, Tahquamenon Falls State Park supervisor in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Parks and Recreation Division. —Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 9 Oct. 2024

Reports New York Jets fire coach Robert Saleh after 2-3 start and apparent tension with Aaron Rodgers Luis Tiant, Cuban legend who pitched the Red Sox to the World Series brink, dies at 83 The Saints have struggled after a hot start to the season, however. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC News, 8 Oct. 2024

SoFi Stadium was blanketed in red, Niners fans owning the building, the defending NFC champs owning the moment, the 0-2 locals riddled with injuries and on the statistical brink of extinction. —Bill Plaschke, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2024

The costs are pushing some condo owners to the financial brink. —Josh Feldman, NBC News, 12 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse brekka slope; akin to Middle Dutch brink grassland

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing brink

• brought/pulled back from the brink of
• on the brink of
• teetering on the brink/edge of
• the brink

Kids Definition

brink

noun

ˈbriŋk 

1

: the edge at the top of a steep place

2

: a point of beginning : verge

on the brink of war