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

• concavity
• dent
• depression
• dint
• hole
• hollow
• indentation
• indenture
• pit
• recess

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

Now, new research has found another potential health risk linked to these sugary drinks—oral cavity cancer. —Brian Mastroianni, Health, 16 Apr. 2025

Meanwhile, public health authorities, including the American Dental Association, support fluoride being put in drinking water to prevent cavities. —Neal Earley, Arkansas Online, 16 Apr. 2025

As delicate tendrils emerge from its nose cavity, the stalker makes just enough noise to cause Ellie to whip around. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025

There may be no exploding ferry boats or bombs inside chest cavities in this show, but there is a terrifying sequence of a doctor whose baby is cut out of her by a mentally ill patient! —Annabel Gutterman, Time, 11 Apr. 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