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 Rams lured him to pro football in 1983 and he led the franchise to numerous playoff appearances and the brink of two Super Bowls before returning to USC a decade later.

From Los Angeles Times

Republicans also will control the Senate under Trump and are on the brink of getting the majority in the House, potentially clearing the way for the passage of new pro-crypto bills.

From Los Angeles Times

But the level of community transmission at the time meant some intensive-care units were still being pushed “to the brink” and were “right on the edge” of running out of bed space.

From BBC

But, since his return in March 2017, he's pulled the club back from the brink.

From BBC

Mexico’s economy — driven almost exclusively by trade, with more than 80% of exports sent north of the border — is already on the brink of recession after years of sluggish growth, said Moreno-Brid.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fringe
• periphery
• threshold
• verge