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countersink

verb
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coun·​ter·​sink | \ ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌsiŋk How to pronounce countersink (audio) \
countersunk\ ˈkau̇n-​tər-​ˌsəŋk How to pronounce countersink (audio) \; countersinking

Definition of countersink

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make a countersink on (a hole)
2 : to set the head of (something, such as a screw) at or below the surface

countersink

noun

Definition of countersink (Entry 2 of 2)

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

Illustration of countersink

Illustration of countersink

Noun

countersink 1

In the meaning defined above

Examples of countersink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Drawer Construction Bore and countersink appropriate pilot holes in the drawer parts, and screw the drawer box together [15]. — Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2021 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 With the drill press and a 5/32-inch-diameter bit, bore and countersink pilot holes in each block. — Neal Barrett, Popular Mechanics, 14 Nov. 2020 Attach legs: Hold each rear leg in place and countersink two evenly spaced holes through the seat slat and into the top of the leg. — Ted Kilcommons, Popular Mechanics, 18 July 2020 Lay out the holes first and drill and countersink them. — Popular Science, 9 Aug. 2020 Now, assemble per the photo and countersink the screws. 💡When decorating, avoid a high-gloss paint or finish, which is so slick the bags will slide off the board. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, 11 Apr. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun 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 Other countersink sets have other types of quick-change drill and drive mechanisms. — Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 4 Nov. 2021 Drill two evenly spaced holes through the joint with a 3⁄8-inch countersink bit, and fasten with 1-inch screws. — Ted Kilcommons, Popular Mechanics, 18 July 2020 If screw heads sit slightly above the surface, remove, countersink, and screw back in. — The Editors Of House Beautiful, House Beautiful, 11 Feb. 2015 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'countersink.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of countersink

Verb

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for countersink

Time Traveler

The first known use of countersink was in 1816

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Dictionary Entries Near countersink

countersign

countersink

countersinker

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Statistics for countersink

Cite this Entry

“Countersink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countersink. Accessed 12 Aug. 2022.

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