brink
Americannoun
-
the edge or margin of a steep place or of land bordering water.
-
any extreme edge; verge.
-
a crucial or critical point, especially of a situation or state beyond which success or catastrophe occurs.
We were on the brink of war.
noun
-
the edge, border, or verge of a steep place
the brink of the precipice
-
the highest point; top
the sun fell below the brink of the hill
-
the land at the edge of a body of water
-
the verge of an event or state
the brink of disaster
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of brink
1250–1300; Middle English brink < Old Norse ( Danish ) brink, cognate with MLG brink edge, hillside, Old Norse brekka slope, hill
Explanation
The brink of something is the very edge of it. If you want to give your mom a good scare, stand on the brink of a steep cliff and slowly lean forward. The noun brink describes the edge of a steep drop-off or slope, or the edge of a boundary marking where something begins, like the brink of a pond. Brink also describes the figurative edge or start of something. Nations on the brink of war are very close to mobilizing troops; if you are on the brink of losing your temper, you might try walking away or slowly counting to ten.
Vocabulary lists containing brink
100 SAT Words Beginning with "B"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Tuck Everlasting
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While uncertainty lingers over improvements and timetables at LAX, the county’s second-busiest airport is on the brink of big changes.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026
Scotland fans say they feel like their team is on the "brink of history" as the national side prepares to meet Brazil in a vital World Cup clash.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
The program’s trust find, which was on the brink of insolvency, is now expected to last until 2034.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 23, 2026
According to KCNA, Kim said such moves were "pushing the situation in the Korean peninsula to the brink of a nuclear war".
From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026
Then he returned to the brink of the dell and looked down at the others laughing and talking.
From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
