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

Kerkering then hit Alonso on an 0-2 count, and after Mayza entered, Henderson pulled his 2-1 sinker to the base of the right-center wall. — CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026

Then a 1-0 sinker got away from Erceg and hit catcher Ryan Jeffers. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Dobnak mixed his pitches, including a sinker, sweeper and changeup, to work efficiently through his start. — Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Kurtz exited Wednesday’s 4-2 home loss to the Boston Red Sox in the second inning after he was hit by a 95-mph sinker from Boston starter Patrick Sandoval in his first at-bat of the game. — Sean Campbell, Sacbee.com, 29 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