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

The researchers suggested that the cavity’s fluctuating electromagnetic field interacts with the superconducting state through virtual photons. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 22 Aug. 2026

That’s not a good way to get into the chest cavity by shooting them in the shoulder. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026

Essentially, when sound waves enter these cavities, the moving air is forced out as a concentrated jet. — Sara Hashemi, Popular Science, 19 Aug. 2026

The official explained that the damage stems from an old seawall that allows soil underneath the pavers to escape into the river, creating holes and cavities. — Ted Scouten, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026

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