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

One of the possibilities that must be taken into consideration is whether a sinkhole or some type of collapse happened under the building, he said, but added that this area hasn’t been known for sinkholes.

From Washington Post

A search of the Florida Geologic Survey’s site for sinkhole reports in the area of the condo’s address on Collins Avenue yields no results.

From Washington Post

“About 20 feet down is limestone but that’s not an area that has had any sinkholes that I’m aware of,” he said.

From Washington Post

While such spills can spontaneously erupt and create deadly sinkholes, the oil company promptly appealed the order.

From ProPublica

Without access to the sinkhole, crime and poverty would increase.

From Ozy

Of course, the surge in sinkhole claims may not be purely natural.

From The Daily Beast

LRE is a founding member of the Florida Association of Sinkhole Stabilization Specialists.

From The Daily Beast

Nothing serves as a metaphor for Florida randomness quite like a sinkhole.

From The Daily Beast

Had they all been paid, the 25,000 sinkhole claims filed between 2006 and 2010 would have cost $1.4 billion.

From The Daily Beast

Insurance firms typically pick up the hefty bills for sinkhole remediation.

From The Daily Beast

It was a little after noon, and the boys were eating dinner at the camp set up close to the creek at Sinkhole cabin.

From Project Gutenberg

Sudden permitted himself a snort, probably in agreement with Bill's statement that things were "gummed up" at Sinkhole.

From Project Gutenberg

Gliding parallel with a dry tributary of Sinkhole Creek, the plane side-slipped and came perilously close to disaster.

From Project Gutenberg

For there was water much nearer Tucker Bly's range, which was to the east of Sinkhole.

From Project Gutenberg

He had dared to assume that his presence there at Sinkhole was necessary to the welfare of the Rolling R!

From Project Gutenberg