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

Examples of brink in a Sentence

was at the brink of death when the rescuers arrived
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.
Local wages, however, haven’t kept pace, pushing more and more households toward the financial brink. Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025 The pandemic brought many of us to similar brinks. Eric Olson september 23, Literary Hub, 23 Sep. 2025 The strains on international enrollment only add to distress for schools already on the financial brink. Collin Binkley, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2025 That Maggie had gone to the very brink of extinguishing Negan. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for brink

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of brink was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Brink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brink. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

brink

noun
1
: the edge at the top of a steep place
2
: a point of beginning : verge
on the brink of war

More from Merriam-Webster on brink

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