cavity

noun

cav·​i·​ty ˈka-və-tē 

plural cavities

1

: an unfilled space within a mass

especially : a hollowed-out space

2

: an area of decay in a tooth : caries

Synonyms of cavity

• hole
• dent
• pit
• concavity

Examples of cavity in a Sentence

Some birds nest in tree cavities.

I had two cavities filled at the dentist's.

Recent Examples on the Web

Depending on the specific defects present, these electrons either roam freely through the ice or become trapped in minute internal cavities. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 21 Nov. 2025

Loosely spoon the stuffing into the cavity, allowing about three-fourths of a cup per pound. —Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 21 Nov. 2025

To capture parrots, poachers scale trees up to a hundred feet high, coating branches with homemade glue or grabbing chicks from nests in cavities. —Rene Ebersole, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2025

Apical periodontitis, the condition treated in this study, is local inflammation around the root of the tooth that can be caused by a deep cavity or tooth infection. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French cavité, borrowed from Late Latin cavitāt-, cavitās, from Latin cavus "hollow, concave" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at hole entry 1

First Known Use

1541, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing cavity

• abdominal cavity
• body cavity
• pelvic cavity
• segmentation cavity
• spinal cavity
• thoracic cavity

Rhymes for cavity

• gravity
• concavity
• depravity
• intracavity
• microgravity
• supergravity

Kids Definition

cavity

noun

cav·​i·​ty ˈkav-ət-ē 

plural cavities

1

: a hollow place

especially : an unfilled bodily space

lung cavity

2

: a hole hollowed out in a tooth by decay

Medical Definition

cavity

noun

cav·​i·​ty ˈkav-ət-ē 

plural cavities

1

: an unfilled space within a mass

2

: an area of decay in a tooth : caries