sinker

noun

sink·​er ˈsiŋ-kər 

1

: one that sinks

specifically : a weight for sinking a fishing line, seine, or sounding line

2

: doughnut

3

: a fastball that sinks as it reaches the plate

called also sinker ball

Examples of sinker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After Jeremy Pena singled, Alvarez ripped a low-inside sinker to the warning track in right-center for a 7-6 lead. — CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026

Up until that point, Whisenhunt had thrown 27 of his 46 pitches for strikes, with a four-seam fastball touching 95 mph and a sinker in the 93-94 mph range. — Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026

His arsenal from a low arm slot features a low-90s fastball with a curveball, sinker, slider/sweeper and changeup that has a cutter profile. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Wacha left a sinker over the plate and Lee hit it over the left-field wall. — Kansas City Star, 23 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sinker

• hook, line and sinker

Rhymes for sinker

• clinker
• drinker
• linker
• pinker
• thinker
• tinker
• freethinker

Kids Definition

sinker

noun

sink·​er ˈsiŋ-kər 

1

: one that sinks

especially : a weight for sinking a line or net

2

: doughnut sense 1