sinker

noun

sink·​er ˈsiŋ-kər 

1

: one that sinks

specifically : a weight for sinking a fishing line, seine, or sounding line

2

: doughnut

3

: a fastball that sinks as it reaches the plate

called also sinker ball

Examples of sinker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For Leiter, the key has been better sinker velocity, according to Boone. —Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 29 May 2025

And in between that, starting pitcher Dustin May hit his lone speed bump in a five-inning, three-run, nine-strikeout start: Offering up a down-the-middle sinker with two aboard in the bottom of the fourth that Daniel Schneemann crushed for a three-run homer. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2025

On Sunday, the three-time MVP threw mostly fastballs, cutters and sinkers with his fastball hovering around 94-95 mph and maxing out at 97 mph. —Ben Morse, CNN Money, 26 May 2025

Ohtani reportedly threw mostly fastballs, cutters and sinkers with two sweepers and a sinker. —Greg Rosenstein, NBC news, 28 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sinker

• hook, line and sinker

Rhymes for sinker

• clinker
• drinker
• linker
• pinker
• thinker
• tinker
• freethinker

Kids Definition

sinker

noun

sink·​er ˈsiŋ-kər 

1

: one that sinks

especially : a weight for sinking a line or net

2

: doughnut sense 1