brink

American  

[bringk] / brɪŋk /

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.

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brink British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• brinkless adjective

Etymology

Origin of brink

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

Example Sentences

They were on the brink of a shock early exit as recently as Thursday and, while they recovered to guarantee a medal, they did not get the one they really wanted as they lost 9-6.

From BBC

Supporters say it continues to give survivors a chance at justice, while Barger and other officials warn the cost of the litigation is driving local governments to the brink of bankruptcy.

From Los Angeles Times

Frankel may have been underworked in Team USA’s one-sided rampage to the gold medal game, but Thursday she was on the brink until Keller finished it off.

From The Wall Street Journal

The reigning Super League champions, who recovered from the brink of extinction in the past 25 years to win the domestic treble, shocked the Australian side in an astonishing first half.

From BBC

Bruce Mouat's world champions were on the brink of a shock early exit in Italy after losing their penultimate round-robin match to Canada.

From BBC

Related Words

• fringe
• periphery
• threshold
• verge