1 [no object] go down below the surface of something, especially of a liquid; become submerged:he saw the coffin sink below the surface of the waves
(of a ship) go to the bottom of the sea or some other body of water because of damage or a collision:the trawler sank with the loss of all six crew
[with object] cause (a ship) to sink:a freak wave sank their boat near the shore
fail and not be seen or heard of again:the film sank virtually without trace
[with object] cause to fail:this pledge could sink the government
[with object] conceal, keep in the background, or ignore:they agreed to sink their differences
2 [no object] descend from a higher to a lower position; drop downwards:you can relax on the veranda as the sun sinks low
(of a person) lower oneself or drop down gently:she sank back on to her pillow
[with adverbial of direction] gradually penetrate into the surface of something:her feet sank into the thick pile of the carpet
3 [no object] gradually decrease or decline in value, amount, quality, or intensity:their output sank to a third of the pre-war figure
lapse or fall into a particular state or condition:he sank into a coma after suffering a brain haemorrhage
approach death:the doctor concluded that the lad was sinking fast
4 [with object] insert beneath a surface:rails fixed in place with screws sunk below the surface of the wood
(sink something into) cause something sharp to penetrate (a surface):the dog sank its teeth into her arm
[with object and adverbial] push or thrust (an object) into something:Kelly stood watching, her hands sunk deep into her pockets
excavate (a well) or bore (a shaft) vertically downwards:they planned to sink a gold mine in Oklahoma
hit (a ball) into a hole in golf or snooker:he sank the black into the green pocket to secure victory
(in golf) hit the ball into the hole with (a putt or other shot):he sank a four-foot birdie putt at the fifth hole
5 [with object]British informal rapidly consume (an alcoholic drink):English players sinking a few post-match lagers
a (or that) sinking feeling
an unpleasant feeling caused by the realization that something unpleasant or undesirable has happened or is about to happen:even to name the sum brought a sinking feeling to her stomach
sink or swim
fail or succeed entirely by one’s own efforts:the bank does not leave its newcomers to sink or swim by themselvestheir businesses can sink or swim on the use of American technology
sink in
(of words or facts) be fully understood or realized:Peter read the letter twice before its meaning sank in
sink something in/into
put money or energy into (something); invest something in:many investors sank their life savings into the company
