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
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
Whiteland Police report sinkhole The sinkhole, which measures at around 3 feet wide and 5 feet deep is located along Whiteland Road near Whiteland Community High School and Brewer ditch.
—
Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024
Video captured the moment last weekend when a woman casually shopping in a Chinese department store disappeared as a possible sinkhole swallowed a portion of the floor.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 31 Mar. 2024
And though their scenes burn with an intensity that feels richer than any other in the play — Boothe is especially fearless in the role — the soggy subfloor of personal history creates a kind of believability sinkhole beneath them.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
The soil beneath her hooves began to collapse as a sinkhole formed, trapping the 20-year-old horse neck-deep in mud, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a Feb. 21 news release.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024
Rotate between lounging out on tropical beaches, snorkeling at nearby Xel-Ha Park, swimming in a natural sinkhole (or cenote), and touring ancient Mayan ruins, many of which are still intact.
—Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024
Heavy rain also loosens the soil, causing sinkholes, mudslides and downed trees, which can make a route dangerous or impassable.
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024
That was after a 6-foot wide, 20-foot deep sinkhole appeared on the right field warning track at Carroll B. Land Stadium following a massive rainstorm in late January.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024
The rain created several sinkholes in Leominster, Massachusetts, including one at a dealership where several cars were swallowed up.
—Michael Casey and Kathy McCormack, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Sep. 2023
Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Apr. 2024
Video captured the moment last weekend when a woman casually shopping in a Chinese department store disappeared as a possible sinkhole swallowed a portion of the floor.
—Peter Aitken, Fox News, 31 Mar. 2024
And though their scenes burn with an intensity that feels richer than any other in the play — Boothe is especially fearless in the role — the soggy subfloor of personal history creates a kind of believability sinkhole beneath them.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024
The soil beneath her hooves began to collapse as a sinkhole formed, trapping the 20-year-old horse neck-deep in mud, the Los Angeles Fire Department said in a Feb. 21 news release.
—Daniella Segura, Sacramento Bee, 22 Feb. 2024
Rotate between lounging out on tropical beaches, snorkeling at nearby Xel-Ha Park, swimming in a natural sinkhole (or cenote), and touring ancient Mayan ruins, many of which are still intact.
—Claudia Fisher, Travel + Leisure, 2 Mar. 2024
Heavy rain also loosens the soil, causing sinkholes, mudslides and downed trees, which can make a route dangerous or impassable.
—Michael Charboneau, Los Angeles Times, 29 Feb. 2024
That was after a 6-foot wide, 20-foot deep sinkhole appeared on the right field warning track at Carroll B. Land Stadium following a massive rainstorm in late January.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Feb. 2024
The rain created several sinkholes in Leominster, Massachusetts, including one at a dealership where several cars were swallowed up.
—Michael Casey and Kathy McCormack, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sinkhole.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sinkhole
Cite this Entry
“Sinkhole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sinkhole. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sinkhole
noun
sink·hole
ˈsiŋk-ˌhōl
: a hollow place in which drainage collects
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