countersink

1 of 2

verb

coun·​ter·​sink ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌsiŋk 

countersunk ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌsəŋk  ; countersinking

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

2 of 2

noun

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

• countersink 1

Examples of countersink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1816, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for countersink

• bobolink
• bethink
• downlink
• groupthink
• hoodwink
• rethink
• uplink
• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink

Kids Definition

countersink

1 of 2 verb

coun·​ter·​sink ˈkau̇nt-ər-ˌsiŋk 

countersunk -ˌsəŋk  ; 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 noun

1

: a bit or drill for making a countersink

2

: a funnel-shaped enlargement at the end of a drilled hole