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

Chapman brought the Giants within one run in the fifth by homering off Abner Uribe’s 100.4 mph sinker. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025

On Wednesday, Royals right-hander John Schreiber challenged Yankees superstar Aaron Judge with a 93.1 mph sinker that Judge sent over the right-field wall. —Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 17 Apr. 2025

Facing rookie Angels reliever Michael Darrell-Hicks, Smith ambushed a first-pitch sinker for a single toward the middle of the field. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

Stroman’s abysmal opening inning began with Mike Yastrzemski mashing his first pitch — an 89.4-mph sinker over the heart of the plate — for a double. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 12 Apr. 2025

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