brink

[ bringk ]

noun

1. the edge or margin of a steep place or of land bordering water.
2. any extreme edge; verge.
3. a crucial or critical point, especially of a situation or state beyond which success or catastrophe occurs:

   We were on the brink of war.

brink

/ brɪŋk /

noun

1. the edge, border, or verge of a steep place

   the brink of the precipice

2. the highest point; top

   the sun fell below the brink of the hill

3. the land at the edge of a body of water
4. the verge of an event or state

   the brink of disaster

Other Words From

• brinkless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brink¹

1250–1300; Middle English brink < Old Norse ( Danish ) brink, cognate with MLG brink edge, hillside, Old Norse brekka slope, hill

Word History and Origins

Origin of brink¹

C13: from Middle Dutch brinc , of Germanic origin; compare Old Norse brekka slope, Middle Low German brink edge of a field

Example Sentences

The big-hitting all-rounder took 16 from an Alzarri Joseph over to put the tourists on the brink and although he holed out with four needed, England got over the line with four balls to spare.

From BBC

The 17-year-old was 9-7 down and on the brink of exiting the tournament, but won three consecutive legs to secure a meeting with Jermaine Wattimena.

From BBC

Jackson Women's Health Organization which led to more abortion bans across the country, abortion funds have been pushed to the brink.

From Salon

With prisons across the country running out of cells and the government releasing offenders early to ease pressure, the BBC has been reporting on the issues facing a system on the brink of collapse.

From BBC

On the brink of turning 69, Goldberg spoke of her financial situation during Tuesday's live show — which touched upon the struggles of the working class — saying, "I appreciate that people are having a hard time. Me, too. I work for a living."

From Salon

Related Words

• fringe
• periphery
• threshold
• verge