sinkhole

noun

sink·​hole ˈsiŋk-ˌhōl 

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

: sink sense 2

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

But at the Siemens site, earlier investigations noted several ancient sinkholes beneath the factory – sinkholes that formed craters through clay layers long ago and then refilled with sand over time. —Kevin Spear, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2025

Heavy rainfall can trigger the collapse of old mine shafts or infrastructure, though these cases are not technically sinkholes because the crater is not formed by the dissolution of soluble rocks, according to the British Geological Survey. —Jenny Gross, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Though the latest sinkhole is about 75 feet from one that shut down the same highway stretch for four days in late December, that repair remains stable, state transportation officials said. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025

In September, a sinkhole in the city of Hiroshima appeared after an underground water pipe burst and the road had caved in. —Arata Yamamoto, NBC News, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sinkhole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

sinkhole

noun

sink·​hole ˈsiŋk-ˌhōl 

: a hollow place in which drainage collects