sinkhole

[ singk-hohl ]

noun

1. a hole formed in soluble rock by the action of water, serving to conduct surface water to an underground passage.
2. Also called sink. a depressed area in which waste or drainage collects.

sinkhole

/ ˈsɪŋkˌhəʊl /

noun

1. Also called (esp Brit)swallow hole a depression in the ground surface, esp in limestone, where a surface stream disappears underground
2. a place into which foul matter runs

sinkhole

/ sĭngk′hōl′ /

1. A natural depression in a land surface formed by the dissolution and collapse of a cavern roof. Sinkholes are roughly funnel-shaped and on the order of tens of meters in size. They generally occur in limestone regions and are connected to subteranean passages.
2. Also called sink
3. See more at karst topography

Word History and Origins

Origin of sinkhole¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; sink, hole

Example Sentences

“Most of those ideas are sinkholes for government spending, which is ironic given the Trump administration’s purported devotion to efficiency.”

From Los Angeles Times

Supreme Court, which, with its 6-3 conservative advantage and three Trump-appointed justices, was nevertheless described by Powell as ”the rubble of a sinkhole of corruption.”

From Salon

He also fought for millions of dollars in the latest state budget to help repair a sinkhole that has caused problems in La Habra.

From Los Angeles Times

Crews drilled steel pillars deep into the ground, disturbing a fragile ecosystem of thousands of caverns and freshwater sinkholes known as cenotes.

From Los Angeles Times

Barker has asked the city and public works officials for months to address the sinkhole, but “no one’s helping us,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times