Illustration of countersink
- countersink 1
coun·ter·sink
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌsiŋk 
countersunk
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌsəŋk
; countersinking
; countersinking
1
: to make a countersink on (a hole)
2
: to set the head of (something, such as a screw) at or below the surface
1
: a bit or drill for making a funnel-shaped enlargement at the outer end of a drilled hole
2
: the enlargement made by a countersink
Examples of countersink in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Use a combination drill bit/countersink to bore pilot holes in the shelf and top, then drive screws to fasten them in place [12/13].
—Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2021
Lay out the holes first and drill and countersink them.
—Popular Science, 9 Aug. 2020
Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
This set of countersink drill bits includes five different sizes, as well as a rotating depth stop to prevent any accidental damage to your workplace.
—Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 2 Dec. 2022
One of the key features to notice is how the movement bridge beveling varies in its proximity to the countersinks – everything from relatively distant, to just barely touching at their exact edges, to actually flowing across a countersink proper.
—Jack Forster, Bloomberg.com, 20 Jan. 2021
If screw heads sit slightly above the surface, remove, countersink, and screw back in.
—The Editors Of House Beautiful, House Beautiful, 11 Feb. 2015
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Verb
Use a nail punch if needed to countersink the nails.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025
Use a combination drill bit/countersink to bore pilot holes in the shelf and top, then drive screws to fasten them in place [12/13].
—Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2021
Lay out the holes first and drill and countersink them.
—Popular Science, 9 Aug. 2020
Noun
Pull out a screw, then use the countersink bit to drill out the hole.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025
This set of countersink drill bits includes five different sizes, as well as a rotating depth stop to prevent any accidental damage to your workplace.
—Alex Rennie, Popular Mechanics, 2 Dec. 2022
One of the key features to notice is how the movement bridge beveling varies in its proximity to the countersinks – everything from relatively distant, to just barely touching at their exact edges, to actually flowing across a countersink proper.
—Jack Forster, Bloomberg.com, 20 Jan. 2021
If screw heads sit slightly above the surface, remove, countersink, and screw back in.
—The Editors Of House Beautiful, House Beautiful, 11 Feb. 2015
Cite this Entry
“Countersink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countersink. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
countersink
1 of 2 verb
coun·ter·sink
ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌsiŋk
countersunk
-ˌsəŋk
; countersinking
; countersinking
1
: to make a countersink on (a hole)
2
: to set the head of (as a screw) at or below the surface
countersink
2 of 2 noun1
: a bit or drill for making a countersink
2
: a funnel-shaped enlargement at the end of a drilled hole
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