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

The Braves’ catcher then took a first-pitch sinker from Pirates reliever Dennis Santana (2-4) and belted it 422 feet out to left-center. — Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 9 July 2026

But watching a fastball up in the zone, then wisely laying off a sinker on the outer third before rolling over on a sinker in the heart of the zone? — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

The changing of speed, the changeup, curveball, sinker, fastball, everything worked well for me. — Andy Martinez, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Against right-handed hitting Rodolfo Durán, Ohtani threw mostly sinkers and sweepers, with one four-seamer mixed in out of seven pitches. — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 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