cavernous

adjective

cav·​ern·​ous ˈka-vər-nəs 

1

a

: having caverns or cavities

b

of animal tissue : composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part

2

: constituting or suggesting a cavern

a cavernous warehouse

cavernously adverb

Examples of cavernous in a Sentence

We toured the cavernous airplane hangar.

The dance was held in a cavernous hall.

Recent Examples on the Web

With white walls, a dark subway-tile floor, and just a light smattering of furniture, the cavernous space feels a tinge stark. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026

Taking the podium in Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People, Premier Li Qiang unveiled a 7% bump on defense spending while using strident language for the self-ruling island, over which China claims dominion. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 6 Mar. 2026

The man who conceived and oversaw building the museum, Jay Smith, the former executive director of the Reno County Historical Society, told The Star in 2012 what his first visit to the cavernous mine was like. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 4 Mar. 2026

The cavernous lobby is quiet and dimly lit. —Rob Stein, NPR, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin cavernōsus "having hollows or depressions," from caverna "hollow space, cavern entry 1" + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

cavernous

adjective

cav·​ern·​ous ˈkav-ər-nəs 

1

: having caverns or cavities

2

: resembling a cavern in being large and hollow

3

: composed largely of spaces capable of filling with blood to bring about the enlargement of a body part

cavernously adverb

Medical Definition

cavernous

adjective

cav·​ern·​ous ˈkav-ər-nəs 

1

: having caverns or cavities

2

of tissue : composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part