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

Sixty-four-year-old Elizabeth Pollard fell about 30 feet below the surface of where the mine would have sat and was about 12 feet away from where the original sinkhole opened up. —Lauren Linder, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

After heavy rainfall in the area, the sinkhole developed on the 96-year-old bridge in the 1600 block of John Brown Road, Franklin County public works director Jeff Welton told the outlet. —Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

The states could see an additional 1 to 3 inches of rain on top of their extremely saturated soil, expanding river flooding and the risk of sinkholes. —Kenton Gewecke, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026

You're introduced to a girl, Anne, who's on her way to meet with friends in Tokyo when a massive sinkhole opens, sending her plummeting into the Earth's depths. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026

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