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 sheriff’s office shut down traffic on a road in north Miami-Dade County on Wednesday morning because of a sinkhole, the agency said. — David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 16 Sep. 2026

Fear is exactly what was struck in some Malibu residents since early Tuesday, when the sinkhole opened up in front of a beachside property owned by actor Nicolas Cage. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2026

The entire portion of the driveway adjacent to the garage has collapsed, as seen in aerial photos of the sinkhole. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026

On Tuesday, September 8, a massive, 30-by-30-foot sinkhole opened directly in front of a Malibu oceanfront home reportedly belonging to Cage, swallowing his driveway whole. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Sep. 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