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

You're introduced to a girl, Anne, who's on her way to meet with friends in Tokyo when a massive sinkhole opens, sending her plummeting into the Earth's depths. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 14 Apr. 2026

Crews are working to fix a large sinkhole that opened up on a Folsom neighborhood street over the weekend. —Cecilio Padilla, CBS News, 13 Apr. 2026

Folsom crews worked Monday to repair a large sinkhole that opened in the city’s Lexington Hills neighborhood during weekend storm that raked across the capital region. —Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 13 Apr. 2026

Cenotes are freshwater sinkhole caves formed from the collapse of limestone bedrock. —Ryan Brennan april 4, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026

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