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1

cave

play
noun \ ˈkāv \

Definition of cave

1 :a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliff
2 :a usually underground chamber for storage
  • a wine cave
; also :the articles stored there

See cave defined for English-language learners

See cave defined for kids

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Examples of cave in a Sentence

  1. Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is actually a series of large chambers on five levels.

Origin and Etymology of cave

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cava, from cavus hollow; akin to Greek koilos hollow, and probably to Greek kyein to be pregnant — more at cyme

cave Synonyms

Synonyms
antre, cavern, delve [archaic], grot, grotto
Related Words
abyss, chasm, gulf, hollow; crawlway, gallery, subway, tunnel; excavation, mine, pit, shaft, well; bunker, dugout, foxhole; burrow, covert, den, hole, lair, lodge, shelter

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale

2

cave

verb

Definition of cave

caved; caving
transitive verb
:to form a cave in or under
intransitive verb
:to explore caves especially as a sport or hobby
—

caver

play \ˈkā-vər\ noun

First Known Use of cave

15th century

3

cave

play
verb \ ˈkāv \

Definition of cave

caved; caving
intransitive verb
1 :to fall in or down especially from being undermined —usually used with in
2 :to cease to resist :submit —usually used with in
transitive verb
:to cause to fall or collapse —usually used with in

Origin and Etymology of cave

probably alteration of calve

Phrases Related to CAVE

Related Phrases

CAVE Defined for English Language Learners

cave

play
noun

Definition of cave for English Language Learners

  • : a large hole that was formed by natural processes in the side of a cliff or hill or under the ground

CAVE Defined for Kids

1

cave

play
noun \ ˈkāv \

Definition of cave for Students

:a large hollow place formed by natural processes in the side of a hill or cliff or underground
2

cave

verb

Definition of cave for Students

caved; caving
:to fall or cause to fall in or down :collapse
  • The mine caved in.

Learn More about cave

  1. See words that rhyme with cave Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cave Spanish Central: Translation of cave Nglish: Translation of cave for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cave for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cave

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agreeable, attractive, or delicious

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Examples: cave in a Sentence