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

Later in the inning, Peterson left pitches, including his sinker, too high in the strike zone, leading to hits. —Will Sammon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

Willy Adames won a nine-pitch battle, taking a full-count, 94 mph sinker inside for a walk to force in a run for a 2-1 lead, and Bailey scored on Matt Chapman’s groundout to shortstop for a 3-1 lead. —Mike Digiovanna, Oc Register, 21 Sep. 2025

Brown continued to lean on the turbo-sinker fastball that was his best pitch, but with the playoff opener against the Astros in mind, the righty also fine-tuned his four-seam fastball. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025

Duran obliterated a 1-0 sinker 385 feet to right field to put the Red Sox ahead. —Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 19 Sep. 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