1
a
: to go to the bottom : submerge
The boat sank.
b
: to become partly buried (as in mud)
sinking up to my knees in the snow
c
: to become engulfed
The earthquake caused buildings to sink into the earth.
2
a(1)
: to fall or drop to a lower place or level
He sank to his knees.
The lake's water level is sinking.
The temperature sinks quickly after sunset.
(2)
: to flow at a lower depth or level
… [water] sinks down in the sandstone and finds its way extremely slowly north …—
K. S. Sandford
K. S. Sandford
(3)
: to burn with lower intensity
watching the flames sink
(4)
: to fall to a lower pitch or volume
Her voice sank to a whisper.
b
: to subside gradually : settle
The ground under the city is sinking.
c
: to disappear from view
The sun sank behind the hills.
d
: to slope gradually : dip
hills sinking down to the sea
3
a
: to soak or become absorbed : penetrate
The ink sinks into the paper.
b
: to become impressively known or felt
The lesson had sunk in.
4
: to become deeply absorbed
sank into reverie
5
a
: to go downward in quality, state, or condition
sank into depression
a civilization that sank into decay
b
: to grow less in amount or worth
Real estate values are sinking.
6
a
: to fall or drop slowly for lack of strength
b
: to become depressed
Her heart sank at the thought of moving so far away.
c
: to fail in health or strength
The patient sank into a coma.
1
a
: to cause to sink
sink a battleship
b
: to force down especially below the earth's surface
sank the fence posts into the ground
c
: to cause (something) to penetrate
sank his nails into his palms
3
a
: to dig or bore (a well or shaft) in the earth : excavate
b
: to form by cutting or excising
sink words in stone
4
5
: to lower in standing or reputation : abase
His prestige in society was sunk.—Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf6
a
: to lessen in value or amount
… they're not susceptible to the forces that sink regular stocks.—Allan Sloan
Allan Sloan
b
: to lower or soften (the voice) in speaking
7
8
: to pay off (something, such as a debt) : liquidate
10
: drop sense 7c
sink a putt
sink a jump shot
11
chiefly British
: to drink down completely
plural sinks
1
2
: a place where vice, corruption, or evil collects
3
4
a
: a depression in the land surface
especially
: one having a saline lake with no outlet
b
: sinkhole
5
: a body or process that acts as a storage device or disposal mechanism: such as
a
: heat sink
broadly
: a device that collects or dissipates energy (such as radiation)
b
: a reactant with or absorber of a substance
The oceans are a major sink for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2).—Andrew J. Watson et al.
see also carbon sink
Andrew J. Watson et al.Examples of sink in a Sentence
Verb
The passengers were rescued from the boat before it sank.
The rock sank to the bottom of the pool.
My foot sank into the deep mud.
She sank up to her knees in the snow.
The torpedo sank the ship.
The sun sank behind the hills.
She sank back into the cozy chair.
The temperature sinks quickly after the sun sets.
The lake's water level is slowly sinking.
His strength is slowly sinking.
Noun
was able to rise above the sink that was his birthplace
Recent Examples on the Web
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
After highs of around 69, lows will sink to roughly 38, according to NWS, with northwest winds of 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
With the Dodgers loading the bases, Varsho sprinted in on a sinking line drive.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Onboard survival suits became mandatory on bulk carriers after the ship sank, as well.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sink
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
The one that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald had sustained winds of 67 mph, gusts of up to 86 mph and waves reported up to 35 feet, according to another vessel in the area that survived the storm.
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
After highs of around 69, lows will sink to roughly 38, according to NWS, with northwest winds of 5 to 8 mph becoming calm after midnight.
—John Tufts, IndyStar, 3 Nov. 2025
With the Dodgers loading the bases, Varsho sprinted in on a sinking line drive.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Onboard survival suits became mandatory on bulk carriers after the ship sank, as well.
—Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sink
Cite this Entry
“Sink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sink. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sink
1 of 2 verb1
a
: to move or cause to move downward usually so as to be below the surface or swallowed up
feet sinking into deep mud
sink a ship
b
: to descend gradually lower and lower
the sun sank behind the hills
2
: to lessen in amount or strength
3
: to fall to or into a lower status (as of quality, worth, or number) : decline
sink into decay
4
a
: to penetrate or cause to penetrate
sank my ax into the tree
b
: to become absorbed
the water sank into the dry ground
5
: to form by digging or boring
sink a well
6
: invest entry 2 sense 1
sank a million dollars in the new company
7
: to fail in strength, spirits, or health
my heart sank
sink
2 of 2 noun1
a
: cesspool
b
2
: a stationary basin for washing (as in a kitchen) connected with a drain and usually a water supply
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