sinkhole

noun

sink·​hole ˈsiŋk-ˌhōl 

1

: a hollow place or depression in which drainage collects

2

: a hollow in a limestone region that communicates with a cavern or passage

3

: sink sense 2

4

: something (such as an unprofitable investment) that steadily drains money or resources

a financial sinkhole

Examples of sinkhole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The goal is to prevent sinkholes and a collapse of the pipe, a 5-foot diameter conduit through which raw sewage flows from about 500,000 Macomb County residents. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 14 May 2026

Later, a sinkhole developed where her garage had been, filled with her broken pottery. —Aarne Heikkila, NBC news, 14 May 2026

After heavy rainfall in the area, the sinkhole developed on the 96-year-old bridge in the 1600 block of John Brown Road, Franklin County public works director Jeff Welton told the outlet. —Paloma Chavez, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

Earthquakes And Sinkholes Earthquakes, sinkholes, landslides—many insurance policies exclude anything involving earth movement. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sinkhole

• bankroll
• bedroll
• borehole
• cajole
• catchpole
• charcoal
• condole
• control
• dipole
• downhole
• enroll
• extol

Kids Definition

sinkhole

noun

sink·​hole ˈsiŋk-ˌhōl 

: a hollow place in which drainage collects