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

Eventually, the cave ceilings collapsed and left behind sinkholes. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 18 Apr. 2025

First responders with Dallas Fire & Rescue arrived to find the truck in the sinkhole. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

Pennsylvania woman who fell in sinkhole found dead after search 02:13 In a similar incident this year in the Japanese city of Yashio, a sinkhole the size of a large swimming pool swallowed a truck and its driver. —Stella Kim, NBC news, 25 Mar. 2025

More:Scientists just discovered cold, dark sinkholes in Lake Michigan. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 31 Dec. 2024

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