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

Around a million years ago, a sinkhole opened, turning the Cedar Creek waterway into an underground river. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025

Jaime said workers also repaired a sewer line collapse that created a sinkhole behind the Edison High baseball field. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025

Three and a half years after Putin's February 2022 invasion, the Russia-Ukraine war is a humanitarian catastrophe and a financial sinkhole. —Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Aug. 2025

Los Angeles County residents are already paying four separate half-percent sales taxes to fund the financial sinkhole that is Metro, officially known as the Los Angeles County Transportation Authority. —Susan Shelley, Oc Register, 16 Aug. 2025

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