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

The index fell by a total of 10.8% over the two days after April 2, and was on the brink of a 20% decline from last February’s highs before it rebounded.

From MarketWatch

His sunglasses came from Henry Jullien, a small French brand based in the foothills of the Jura Mountains near Switzerland that was on the brink of collapse a few years ago.

From The Wall Street Journal

Napoli are reeling ahead of Sunday's clash with fierce rivals Juventus after more European disappointment left the Serie A title holders on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions League.

From Barron's

Former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne is on the brink of standing down as an MP, ministers and party officials believe.

From BBC

It was Marsh, Arenas’ backup in the backcourt, who would once again drag the Trojans back from the brink against Northwestern after the Wildcats had led nearly the entire game.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fringe
• periphery
• threshold
• verge