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

Is Mark Zuckerberg constructing a gold mine or a financial sinkhole? —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

An investigation is underway in Broward County after officials said a construction vehicle hit a fire hydrant, flooding a road and causing a sinkhole to open. —Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 26 Jan. 2026

In fact, the landmark is an optical illusion, where a 20-foot depression in the rock creates the appearance of a sinkhole. —Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Jan. 2026

Street closures caused by a sinkhole in the Morena neighborhood were expected to remain in place until Tuesday, according to San Diego officials. —City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 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