sinkholenoun [ C ]
uk/ˈsɪŋk.həʊl//ˈsɪŋk.hoʊl/a hole in the ground, especially in an area of limestone rock, that has been formed naturally, for example by water that has worn away the rock:
Rain gradually dissolves the limestone, forming features such as limestone pavements, sinkholes, and caves.
a large hole that suddenly appears in the ground when the surface of the ground is no longer supported:
A massive sinkhole has opened over old potash mines in the area.
A man was missing early Friday after a large sinkhole opened under the bedroom of his house in Florida.