Definition
A counterbore is a cylindrical flat-bottomed enlargement of a hole, made to allow a screw head to lie flush with or below the surface. Imagine drilling a shallow, wider hole on top of a narrower one. It's often used when you don't want screw heads sticking out. Think of it as recessing hardware for a smooth finish. It's different from countersinking, which creates a cone-shaped recess. The purpose is purely functional: to hide the fastener.