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sink

sink

3 9.9
A hollow in the ground that forms when the surface collapses
  • noun
  • /sɪŋk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dolina
  • The cave system features a limestone sink that leads to a network of underground rivers.
  • a sink of land
  • a deep sink
  • a small sink

It ends up at the sink at T, right?

Examples

  • The geological survey identified a large sink that might be the result of a collapsed cavern.

  • Hikers often visit the natural sink in the area, where water collects after heavy rains.

  • Here is probably a sink, probably my side.

  • If either of you make it across that sink hole in front of you, you get this one.

  • Frank drops the box into a bed of sand in a sink surrounded by sandbags.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Fifty yards down, I recognized a small, sink-sized pool, relatively unchanged, and stuck the handle in to test the strength of the current.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Due to unforeseen difficulties crossing the Humboldt Sink, Penny had gone on; the Donner Party did not reach the Sierra Nevada until mid-October.

    Fiction book (1993)

Synonyms

sinkhole
vssink
18 5.7

A hole in the ground made when the surface collapses, often in limestone areas

is the same type but emphasizes formation by collapse or solution
depression
vssink
  • Specialized
11 5.3

A low area of land that forms a hollow

is more specific, focusing on underground connections and cave collapse
swallow hole
vssink
  • UK
9.9

A hole in the ground where water goes underground into caves, often in limestone

is the same feature described as a ground depression that links to caves

Idioms

2 6.7

Fall or fail very quickly and completely

A way to say there are almost all things you can think of

7.7

A warning that careless talk can cause trouble by revealing secrets

Almost everything possible is present, even things you do not need

To fail very quickly and completely with no chance to get better

8.2

To get stuck in a problem that keeps getting worse and is hard to leave

Compounds

9 1.0

A large basin with a tap in a kitchen used for washing dishes

kitchen sink
  • Informal
2 4.2

A very large number of things, often including items that are not needed

heat sink
  • Specialized
1 4.5

A metal part that takes heat away from electronic parts so they do not get too hot

A software bug that affects many parts after a code change

2.5

A small stopper that blocks a sink drain so water stays in the basin

How Big

chasm
33 6.9
sinkhole
18 5.7
sink
  • Specialized
3 9.9
hollow
14 3.8
dip
4 2.3

Surface Forms

sink singular
sinks plural

Etymology

Sink comes from the Old English word sincan meaning 'to go down'. A land sink is a place where the ground has dropped or fallen 'down' into the earth, like in the common name sinkhole, so the word describes the ground that has sunk.