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
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
Jack Forster, Bloomberg.com, 20 Jan. 2021
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
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
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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
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
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
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
Cite this Entry
“Countersink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countersink. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
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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