sinkhole

American  

[singk-hohl] / ˈsɪŋkˌhoʊl /

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.

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sinkhole British  

/ 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

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sinkhole Scientific  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of sinkhole

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

Example Sentences

Initially thought to be caused by a sinkhole, engineers later said the embankment in Whitchurch had collapsed, causing water to flood out.

From BBC

A major incident has been declared over what police have called a sinkhole at a canal in Shropshire, leaving boats either stricken in a gaping cavity or teetering on the edge of a drop.

From BBC

What’s only starting to become clear is that the companies are also sinkholes for AI losses that are the flip side of chunks of the public-company profits.

From The Wall Street Journal

One posted on Facebook: "A sinkhole, where there are old mineshafts, who would have guessed it!"

From BBC

Engineers working to repair a sinkhole which appeared in Godstone High Street in Surrey six months ago say the collapse started with a burst water main.

From BBC